Horsham’s St Brigid’s College is the first school in the region to use virtual reality, VR, as a permanent part of its curriculum in a classroom setting.

Teacher and VR co-ordinator Tamika Burdett said it gave the school’s students from years seven to 12 extra opportunities without the need for travel.

“Whether it be to Melbourne, interstate, or even overseas, kids are able to now access different things here, straight in the classroom,” she said.

“There’s a world scenario where students can actually go and explore the world, they can be in the human body and look at the brain, they can do a farm simulator, which they’ll use in agriculture, they can explore different career options – it’s endless.”

Ms Burdett said the VR was still in its infancy.

“Currently, year-seven students are going to be using it in English, year-eights are going to use it in science, and year-nines are going to be using it in humanities. Our year-10s will use it in careers,” she said.

“That’s our pilot program, and then we’ll open it to staff who are keen to get VR into their other subjects. 

“So far, the levels of engagement are huge.”

The college is also making the VR resources available to the region’s grades-five and six students.

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