BGSD introduces VR learning in local classrooms

LEDUC COUNTY -- Virtual reality has arrived in Black Gold School Division classrooms.

According to officials with the BGSD, the new learning opportunities were first introduced to students at École Leduc Estates School. This came in the way of sixteen pairs of new VR goggles, which allowed local students to explore pyramids, hieroglyphics, and tombs in ancient Egypt, in a 360-degree environment. 

The goggles, or virtual reality headsets, are head-mounted devices that create an immersive 3D computer-generated world by displaying separate images to each eye and tracking head movements. The Black Gold School Division says the devices introduced in local classrooms are some of the first to be utilized in Alberta schools.

It's said that teachers can access more than 300,000 curated VR resources for students from Grades one through twelve. The Division notes that some of the VR environments will even help students explore various career options. Also, there are STEM models, immersive wildlife videos, and more.

The set of sixteen googles will be shared between all of the schools throughout the Black Gold School Division.