Exploring the Future of Education: Insights from the ClassVR Event in Shanghai

Embracing VR: A Personal Journey

For my latest birthday, I received the Pico 4 device, a flagship product competing with Meta’s Quest VR device. However, my enthusiasm quickly waned as I returned the device after just five days.

The main reason was motion sickness and my fear of heights—flying or high-altitude VR experiences were simply unbearable. Additionally, my initial goal of exploring VR’s potential in education felt unmet. The app library was filled with games and cinematic experiences but offered only a handful of educational tools.

I was still eager to explore more around VR and its educational applications. While browsing LinkedIn, I discovered a post by Amelia King , Director of Tech at Dulwich College Shanghai, where she highlighted the success of ClassVR glasses in her school. Intrigued, I connected with her and was subsequently invited to an event organized by EmdoorVR, the ClassVR distributor in China.

Insightful Event

On Friday, 6th of December, I attended EmdoorVR’s showcase in Shanghai. The event demonstrated how ClassVR could revolutionize education. As the Head of Digital Integration at SUIS Middle School, I am constantly seeking innovative ways to empower teachers and students through technology. This event provided some great insights.

Breaking Barriers with VR in Education

The event featured insightful presentations from Victor Dai , ClassVR China-EmdoorVR Business Director, Yosef Karasik of Dulwich College Beijing, Amelia King of Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, and Matthew Dull, who shed light on VR’s transformative potential in classrooms.

Yosef emphasized the importance of combining VR with traditional learning methods. One standout strategy involved students working in groups of three:

1. One student views VR content and describes it.

2. Another student writes down the description.

3. The third student draws from the explanation.

This collaborative approach fosters teamwork while reinforcing understanding through multiple modalities. Yosef also introduced the TPACK model (Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge) as a framework for integrating VR seamlessly into curricula. His message was clear: VR isn’t just about flashy gadgets; it’s about improving learning outcomes.

Amelie’s session focused on “app smashing”—combining tools like CoSpaces, BlockadeLabs, and ClassVR to create engaging educational outputs. She outlined a four-step implementation process:

1. Going Physical: Students create physical models representing their learning.

2. 3D scanning: Tools like Scaniverse digitize these models.

3. AI Integration: Platforms like BlockadeLabs generate immersive 3D backgrounds.

4. VR Presentation: Students combine models, scans, and backgrounds for a complete VR experience.

Amelie also addressed challenges like teacher buy-in and steep learning curves. Her solution? Empower teachers and students to become creators, not just consumers, of educational content.

The ClassVR Advantage

Matthew Gull, a ClassVR representative from the UK, shared compelling data on VR’s educational benefits:

• 4x more focused engagement.
• 3.75x more emotional connection.
• 4x faster knowledge retention.
• 275% more confidence in applying learnings.

ClassVR’s centralized headset management and curriculum-aligned content make it a standout solution. With over 300,000 VR images and AI-powered panoramic creation, the possibilities are vast.

Personal Reflections

Having explored VR devices like Pico and Meta Quest, the ClassVR event brought a good perspective on how VR can be implemented into education. Unlike consumer-focused VR, ClassVR aligns with educational needs, offering practical applications like collaborative group learning and abstract subject exploration. By blending VR with traditional methods, we can redefine how knowledge is delivered and retained.

Looking Ahead

This event wasn’t just about showcasing technology; it was about envisioning the future of learning. I left inspired to explore how tools like ClassVR could break down geographical, financial, and conceptual barriers in education.

Have you explored using VR in education, and what is your perspective on this topic? Let me know if the comments below.