HTC Vive and VictoryXR have joined forces to provide students with a package of virtual global field trips. These immersive experiences, accessed through the HTC Vive Flow headset, will transport students to various locations worldwide, including iconic sites like the Great Wall of China and the Redwood Forests of California. The partnership covers regions such as North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. The field trips, led by experienced science teacher Wendy Martin, will be available in multiple languages.
HTC Vive and VictoryXR have partnered to provide students with a bundled package of virtual global field trips. Utilizing the HTC Vive Flow headset, students can explore virtual locations worldwide, including the Great Wall of China, the Redwood Forests of California, Icelandic volcanoes, and more than 100 other field trips.
VictoryXR CEO Steve Grubbs expressed the desire to offer educational and engaging travel experiences to students globally. The collaboration will initially cover North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, with the VXR Global Traveler app preloaded on headsets.
“Teachers and students want to experience global travel in virtual reality. We developed a library of field trips that combine amazing travel with fun, educational lessons focused on science and history,” said Grubbs, VictoryXR CEO. “The global distribution on the Vive Flow headset takes a robust library and puts it at the fingertips of students around the world.”
These immersive field trips, often led by science teacher Wendy Martin, are available in multiple languages, enabling students to broaden their knowledge in a fun and interactive manner. Daniel O’Brien, GM of Americas at HTC Vive, highlighted the importance of using technology to empower students and reshape the learning experience.
“I’ve loved filming these field trips in 360 VR because it gives students a chance to stand in some of the most important places in the world for science. We’ve visited Yellowstone National Park, the Rocky Mountains, and more than 30 other locations as we have created the world’s greatest learning library in 360 VR,” said Martin.
Students will be able to hear the field trips in English or read subtitles in Arabic, French, German, or Spanish.
“As technology reshapes the learning experience, it’s critical to offer solutions that inspire and empower students in an engaging and accessible way,” said O’Brien. “Our collaboration with VictoryXR brings science and history to life on the compact and comfortable Vive Flow headset, enabling students to travel around the globe and expand their worldview in a fun and immersive virtual environment without limitations.”
What do we think?
This venture may not sit well with airlines and museums. In an extreme reaction, airlines and museums might try to get Congress to outlaw this company’s product on the premise that it could make children lazy, deny them immune system development, and possibly make them woke without the benefit of adult bias. Museums might join the lobbing, wondering how they are supposed to sell posters, T-shirts, and pens if no one visits the actual museums. The janitor’s union could also join the complaint, saying there’s nothing to wipe off the walls or no bottles to pick up. Of course, we are being facetious here, but one never knows….