Encouraging Volunteers to Create School Programming for Oculus

Just one addition to Howard's notes:

 

The Oculus Go headsets in the Call of the Wild room are capable of storing a couple hours of content each and you do not need access to a computer or WIFI to play back the content once it has been loaded onto the headset.  These currently cost $250.00 each, but we can get $199.00 versions that hold about half that, or an hour of content we choose.

 

We currently have 3 main pieces of content.

 

• One is a display of 20 of our 1-5 min videos where the user can choose what they want to see with the controller.

• One is a display of a few of the same videos where it starts with the first video and rolls through all of them in sequence.  The user can't change what plays.

• One is a work in progress where the user can choose their own adventure.  As they walk around the sanctuary they can click on signs (pictures of the cats) and play that cat's story before being returned back to the tour path.

 

Due to storage limits on the Oculus Go you have to know which one of the above you want to present and set it up via a computer and WIFI and make sure all of the videos are downloaded to the headsets so that once you get to your destination, you won't need WIFI or a computer.

 

The headsets come with a warning that they are not intended for children under the age of 13.  I don't know why there is such a caveat but guess it could have to do with kids getting all caught up in an experience and running into walls or falling off stairs or balconies.

 

Jennie wrote:

 

Hi Howard and Jennifer,  Lisa and I discussed this and are interested in helping with creating a virtual reality program for 4th graders, since Florida is a theme for the common core for that grade.  I would like to know how long this presentation should be and what you want us to do for the next step.

 

I also would like to create an extension of the virtual reality presentation in the form of a project-based learning lesson that could be used in classrooms to make sure this is seem by the kids as something serious and not just entertainment! The whole point of my original proposal was for kids to have a meaningful experience with an in-depth project so they would remember it share it, and help take action. I hope to continue with this idea, even if it is shared differently.

 

I wonder if we could have a 4th grade teacher immersion day to help them understand the virtual reality experience and understand how to implement the project. Of course it would have to be limited as we cannot have too many people on the property at once.

 

With this said, I would not be able to go out to schools as I have so much I am doing in retirement. I do not want to turn this into another school job! Lisa is working as a substitute at schools and may look for a permanent position. We could brainstorm what we might do with this new tool. We would have to consider how this would be shared with schools.  -  Jennie 

 

Howard wrote:

 

Sorry for slow response, I was jammed and traveling.  You will have to forgive my not being familiar with your profession's lingo but I don't know what a 4th grade teacher immersion day is or a project based learning lesson.  This is NOT intended to be entertainment.  It is intended to educate in a supremely engaging way.

 

Since the time we met we have made many more videos, I think we have about 50 now, and Lauren has been tasked with helping Carole.  We also even since then have upgraded the headset equipment and our software.  The technology is evolving at a lightning pace.

 

The challenge in the classroom is that it takes a very powerful computer system to let 20 or more people view the VR video in headsets simultaneously.  That is why we are looking into outfitting a mobile unit.  Friday Susan and I are meeting with a senior person at Lazy Days the big RV dealer to chat about any options they might have.  We need to evolve this as we go, but initially I f