Schools sample virtual reality at education IT event

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 2 August 2022

UPDATED: 2 August 2022

Virtual reality sets which allow pupils to visit museums or even a beach without leaving their classrooms were among the technologies demonstrated to schools by a Derby IT firm. 

L.E.A.D. IT Services, which is based in Victoria Street, Derby ran the free event at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham to show how technology and software can make teaching more fun and help staff. 

There were demonstrations of communication software, virtual reality headsets, interactive smart screens and advice on how to make the best use of iPads and other technologies in the classroom. 

Sophie Jepson organised the event and said she was pleased to be able to bring schools together to find out more. 

“It is great just to be able to give a bit of information to schools and open up so they can try new things that are available and find out what is cost effective for them.” 

Dom Fearn from L.E.A.D. IT demonstrated a virtual reality kit which can help teachers experience things they may not get a chance to in real life – such as a visit to Ann Franks house, or the International Space Station. 

Isabelle Young, computing lead at the Jubilee L.E.A.D. Academy in Bilborough, Nottingham, has already started using VR in the classroom. 

She visited the conference to find out more about the latest technologies available. 

“We have used VR in our classrooms to take children to a mosque, show them a Viking longship, a Greek temple and many more things, including going to a beach. The children absolutely love it. It gives them real world experiences that they may not ordinarily get. 

“For example, one of our groups was studying a book set in Iceland so we used the VR to look at the country and they saw it wasn’t that icy and could really picture it when they were reading the book then.” 

Chris Deeley, Managing Director of Elementary Technology, was at the event and said classrooms were changing with a steady move away from interactive whiteboards to smart screens and more interactive learning. 

His company completes technology “health checks” for schools, seeing what they have in place, their focus and aims and helps them choose the technology and software best suited to them and how to use it effectively. 

“There have been some big changes in how technology is being used,” said Chris. “One of the biggest changes is the switch from interactive white boards to smart screens which are more environmentally friendly and the image quality is better. We are also seeing schools integrate tablet devices more. 

“Classrooms aren’t just about the teacher at the front telling pupils what to do it is about inclusiveness and showing children how to use something.” 

Other exhibitors included Ioan Thomas and Richard Cooper from Gamma, which provides VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communications systems for schools and Sync, which provides iPads for schools and training on how to use them. 

Sophie Jepson added:

“This event allowed people to network and share ideas. We know there is a lot more online digital teaching and learning and we want to make sure schools are getting the best advice about the systems they put in place and also know how to get the best out of them.” 

Picture shows - Dom Fearn from L.E.A.D. IT demonstrating Virtual Reality headsets for schools to Isabelle Young from Jubilee L.E.A.D. Academy. 

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