At first, it may look like a headset and an empty patch of floor. Then the room changes. A museum appears where the wall was. A machine can be examined from every side. A learner who was watching a lesson moments ago is now standing inside it.
What XR means
XR is a short name for virtual and augmented reality. These tools mix digital pictures and information with the world around us. A person might use a headset, phone, tablet or computer.
“Begin with the person and the goal. Choose the technology only after you know what it should help them do.”
The device opens the door. The lesson should help someone see, practice or understand something that was hard to learn before.
A lab can begin small
A useful learning lab can begin with a few devices, a small group and one clear activity. The best starting question is simple: What does this learner need to do?
- Tour a place that is hard to visit
- Practice a job task in a safe setting
- Build a simple 3D scene
- Join a class in another location
- Turn a lesson into an activity
Why people need to try it
People understand new technology faster when they can use it. They can ask better questions, notice what feels hard and discover what the tool could help them do.
NewDawn starts with a clear first step. People get room to try the tool. Then they connect the experience to a real goal in school, work or community life.