See detailed instructions in the booking guides and book via this page https://studios.abo.fi/booking/

When planning your course, it is important to keep the learning objectives in mind when planning the use of XR content. Are there elements of the courses that students can understand better if they experience it ‘in real life’? Are there dangerous elements of the course that can be delivered more safely in virtual reality? Or can students improve their presentation or public speaking skills by practicing in virtual reality?

Take a look at what has been done in other courses for inspiration.

You can contact the digimentors if you need support in planning your course!

When preparing for your VR session, focus on four key areas: devices, logistics, structure, and software. Detailed information on each of these aspects, along with specific considerations for optimizing your session, can be found in our guide, Teaching Methods with Virtual Reality (2024) by I. Gugenishvili, N. Chunashvili, and T. Andtfolk.

As the number of headsets are limited in the XR-labs you will probably have to split the students into working groups when using the XR-lab. You’ll find the number of available headsets and working stations for the lab in Turku here (link) and for Vasa here (link). You have several possibilities when it comes to facilitating the use of the XR-labs.

1. One alternative is to make separate bookings for each group if you yourself intend to be present at several of the sessions. In that case one group at a time will visit the lab and you’ll be there to meet them.
2. Another alternative is that the students use the lab without your supervision where you give them a task, prepare them for using the lab, book the lab and then collect documentation afterwards.
3. A third possibility is to book the lab for a longer session and arrange, for example, a workshop that runs simultaneous to the sessions in the XR-lab. In this case you book both the lab and a lecture room and the students all begin in the lecture room. The students then visit the lab in the groups you assign one group at a time while the rest of the groups work in the lecture room. All groups of students could have the same task in the XR-lab but they could also have separate tasks if you arrange for an exchange of experiences afterwards for example using the jigsaw-method (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigsaw_(teaching_technique)#:~:text=The%20jigsaw%20technique%20is%20a,synthesize%20their%20work%20when%20finished.)

The duration of your VR session largely depends on the session’s objectives and the software being used. For training purposes—such as with Virtual Speech or Nanome—you should plan for approximately one hour. In contrast, if the focus is on experiences, like Now Is The Time or The Key, a session can be effectively conducted in about 30 minutes.

Always allocate around 10 minutes at the beginning for students to enter the lab, receive general instructions, and become comfortable with the devices. It is also important to consider that VR devices may disconnect or encounter technical issues, so incorporating this buffer time is essential for a smooth experience.

Additionally, keep in mind that you may need to split students into groups, as there might not be enough VR headsets for everyone in the XR lab.

It is important that the students are prepared beforehand when visiting the XR-lab. They should have an understanding of the task they are expected to do in the lab and also an understanding of safety related issues when using XR-technologies and the lab. Please familiarize yourself with the materials here (link to safety guide). This is especially important if it is the first time the students visit the lab since there always is a risk for students engaging in off-task behavior or having a hard time getting started. The clearer your expectations are the more likely it is that the students have a fruitful session in the lab.

Some apps available in the XR-lab make it possible for students to document their progress, create virtual products or answer quizzes. 

If the session in the XR-lab is compulsory for students within the course and tasks during the session is in line with the learning goals the session can and should be part of the overall assessment for the course. Depending on what the task for the students are and which app they use there might be a possibility of students exporting documentation from the app which then could be used as part of the assessment. Please see the question regarding submission made in XR above. In other cases you might need to collect documentation from students that they do separately for example in the form of reflections or questionaires. One alternative is also that you arrange for students to present their experiences afterwards and that the presentation is the assessed practice. Below you’ll find an example assessment rubric that you can use as a base if needed.

After you’ve familiarized yourself with the support material, you’re ready to visit the lab. Please test the setup guide so that you can guide students through the process

For the actual VR session, it is ideal to have one assistant for every five students. This ratio ensures that each participant receives timely attention in case they encounter any difficulties. Plan ahead to designate who will assist whom, making certain that all students receive the necessary support.

For additional technical assistance, you can reach out to the Digimentors. They can provide valuable help with any technological issues that may arise during the session.

If someone gets hurt or if there is a major injury, you should call 112 and refer to the safety guide in the lab that contains information, such as the address. If something breaks or if there is a technical problem, you should contact helpdesk@abo.fi

To ensure the safety of the VR session, consider the following measures:

• Unless the VR experience specifically recommends standing, advise participants to remain seated to minimize the risk of accidents.
• Encourage students to keep hand and leg movements minimal to prevent accidental strikes or falls. Also make sure that everybody has the controller straps secured around their wrists.
• It is important to ensure that the VR headset is properly and comfortably positioned on the head before starting the session. Poor placement of the headset on the head can easily cause headaches and tension in the neck or back. This is important so that you can focus on your task instead of worrying about discomfort.
• Acknowledge that motion sickness can occur. Inform students about the signs of discomfort and instruct them to remove the VR headset immediately if they begin to feel unwell. After removing the headset, they should sit or lie down in a comfortable position and notify the teacher. Consider having anti-nausea medication available, especially for longer sessions or more intensive VR experiences.
• Adjust the brightness level and the distance between your eyes/lenses. If the brightness is too high or the eye distance (IPD) is poorly calibrated, it could cause strain on the eyes during a longer session in the lab.
• Implement a “buddy” system where students pair up to monitor each other. This is particularly beneficial in courses with many students or in smaller XR labs where the teacher cannot observe everyone simultaneously. Partners can help ensure that their counterpart remains in a safe area and does not interact hazardously with the environment or other participants.
• Before any VR session, ensure the area is free of obstacles that could pose a risk. Remove unnecessary furniture and secure loose or entangled cables to prevent tripping hazards. In the ÅAU Turku lab, soft pads can be placed on the floor to indicate where students should stand.
• To minimize the risk of tripping, ensure that all outerwear and bags are placed in the lockers next to the XR lab.

To maximize the educational value of VR experiences, consider implementing complementary activities that encourage deep reflection and critical thinking. Below you will find some examples of these activities:

Guided reflection

After a VR session, you, as a teacher, could facilitate guided reflection. This could involve prompting students with specific questions related to the VR content, asking them to connect the experience with course materials, or discussing how the VR experience changed their understanding of the topic.

Group discussion

You could organize small group discussions where students could share their insights and diverse perspectives. This might be especially suitable for courses with more than 40 participants.

Reflection papers

Another option could be assigning students to write reflection papers where they analyze their VR experience in the context of the course content.

Project-based assignments

One could extend the learning from the VR session into a project-based assignment where students can apply what they have learned in a practical, creative way.

Some VR software offers the ability to track students’ learning journeys and skill development over time, providing detailed reports on their progress. However, if the software does not include this feature, there are no VR-specific assessment methods available. In such cases, you should treat VR as just another teaching technology and apply the same assessment methods you would use for any other form of learning.

Once you have completed the session, please ensure the following:

• Clean all VR headsets and controllers with wet wipes and UV-C disinfection boxes to maintain hygiene.
• Power down the VR devices and plug them into their chargers.
• Ensure that each device has its corresponding joysticks placed next to it.
• Make sure both the headset and their corresponding hand controllers are charging.
• Log out off any computers used during the session. Do not attempt to shut them down!
• Please ensure all AV equipment is turned off if they are currently powered on. This includes the projector, CleverTouch, and the TV screen.
• Make sure to turn off the lights in the lab.
• Remember to take your own personal belongings with you from the locker room.

If you have specific needs or requests regarding VR or XR applications for teaching, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to assist with suggestions and ordering apps that can enhance your teaching and provide your students with an even better learning experience. Contact us at digistod@abo.fi or use the contact form at the following link: https://studios.abo.fi/xr/apps-for-xr/suggestions/