XR Foundations for Educators

BRINGING VR/AR TO THE CLASSROOM

No cost to attend!

XR Terra, in partnership with the Verizon Foundation, is excited to bring this professional development opportunity to educators at no cost. We invite you to learn about XR (Extended Reality) and how it fits into our classrooms.

XR Foundations for Educators

Discover how XR positively impacts education, learn how to create Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences for students, and begin incorporating new technologies into classrooms.

This course is funded by the Verizon Foundation and offered at NO COST to educators!

This course is for you

if you are searching for new strategies to engage and inspire students
if you are interested in personally experiencing XR apps and platforms
if you want to build familiarity with new technology to help improve students’ learning experiences and outcomes
if you are interested in joining a community of like-minded teachers

XR Foundations for Educators is a hands-on and engaging professional development opportunity designed to give you the confidence to use new technologies to engage your students and prepare them for the future.

Upon completion of the course, educators are issued a certificate indicating 16 contact hours. XR Foundations for Educators can be completed at your own pace over the 2022-2023 school year and into the summer.

Live support is available as you continue to work on projects you can share with your students.

XR Terra has been approved as a continuing professional education (CPE) provider for the State of Texas.

XR Foundations for Educators is on the CSTA list of Quality PD Opportunities.

Course Feedback

“It took no time at all to be able to play around in the VR environments and create original things. For kids in particular, there is a lot of value in that. This course reassured me that I am capable of doing what I need to do in order to serve my kids.” (Maggie, TX)

“I loved every minute of the program. I loved feeling challenged again, and stumbling and falling. It has been a while since I have felt this excitement” (Rebecca, CA)

“This was very enjoyable and will help me get students interested in learning” (Chris, MA)

Topics Covered

Intro to XR: Industry, Innovation, and Future
Augmented Reality & Creating Interactive Posters
Web-Based Virtual Reality & 360 Interactive
Navigating & Creating in a 3D Virtual Classroom
Bringing XR to Your Classroom
XR Engines
XR & Arts

Teachers of all content areas can learn to build simple XR experiences for classroom use. No tech background required!

Get Started!

Program Roadmap

GAIN THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO INTRODUCE YOUR STUDENTS TO THE FUTURE!

OVERVIEW OF XR LANDSCAPE AND ECOSYSTEM

Educators will engage in learning about all aspects of XR, the metaverse, and the emerging ecosystem and will come away with an overall understanding of the power and potential of XR as a teaching and learning tool.

DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL SKILLS

Educators will work with industry-leading tools and come away with an exciting set of skills that utilize the abilities of leading XR apps and platforms. This will result in familiarity with an array of opportunities to enhance students’ learning experiences.

USE OF XR AS AN ESSENTIAL TEACHING TOOL

Educators will build confidence to use various apps, including a platform that allows for user-friendly creation of interactive displays, social VR apps to create virtual classroom environments, VR platforms, and game engines used to build unique 3D environments.

Who Should Attend?

Educators, administrators, and school support staff interested in learning about virtual and augmented reality and their value as learning tools
School Counselors
Digital Media Specialists
Students currently working towards a post-secondary degree in education

Priority given to Title I School Districts

Note: This course also lays the foundation for teachers interested in a more advanced study of experience design and gameplay interaction. XR Terra can customize additional modules for educators with a technical background or teaching advanced-level technical courses. We can also provide some support for your middle and high school students.

How is the course structured?

XR Foundations for Educators begins with two 60-minute live interactive sessions (Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm ET and Saturdays at 12:00 pm ET) that introduce the XR industry and how XR can be incorporated into the classroom.

The course continues in a self-paced format. Educators will work through modules that contain pre-recorded lectures, exercises, and projects to help explore amazing apps and programs that can be immediately used in the classroom. Learn how to create 3D environments for students, build an interactive AR poster, and more! XR Terra instructors will be available to provide help during scheduled workshop sessions.

Educators who complete all 16 hours of the course will receive a certificate for 16 contact hours of learning.

Note: XR Terra can provide private cohorts for schools with dedicated time for staff professional development.