VR Career Exploration
Student wearing a vr headset in a classroom (Halfpoint, Getty Images)
Student wearing a vr headset in a classroom (Halfpoint, Getty Images)
How does this align with my curriculum?
Students will learn about virtual reality technology and explore careers using this technology.
Overview
| Activities | Timing | Student grouping | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minds-On: What is Virtual Reality (VR)? | 20 minutes | Large group and small group | Students will learn the basics of Virtual Reality technology. |
| Action: VR and STEM Careers | 20-30 minutes | Small group | Students will explore a variety of careers using VR technology. |
| Consolidation: VR and Career Exploration | 20 minutes | Large group | Students will discuss the effectiveness of VR as a career exploration tool. |
Students will:
- Learn about Virtual Reality (VR) technology and how it can be used
- Explore different STEM-related careers in a VR environment
- Consider potential future careers
- Discuss the potential of VR as a career recruitment tool
Learning Goals
Students will:
- Learn about Virtual Reality (VR) technology and how it can be used
- Explore different STEM-related careers in a VR environment
- Consider potential future careers
- Discuss the potential of VR as a career recruitment tool
Students can:
- Identify some benefits and drawbacks of VR technology
- Use VR equipment appropriately
- Describe a career experienced using VR technology
- Identify reasons why companies might choose to use VR for staff recruitment
Success Criteria
Students can:
- Identify some benefits and drawbacks of VR technology
- Use VR equipment appropriately
- Describe a career experienced using VR technology
- Identify reasons why companies might choose to use VR for staff recruitment
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe students as they complete the Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer. Note if the content is new for students or if there are connections they are already making.
Conversations
- Listen and observe the conversations taking place as students experience the VR career videos. What aspects engage students? What questions are they asking each other?
Products
- Students could submit their Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer reproducible for you to assess understanding and guide future discussions about VR technology.
- Students could submit their VR and STEM Careers Reflection reproducible for you to guide future discussions about careers.
Evidence of Student Learning
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe students as they complete the Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer. Note if the content is new for students or if there are connections they are already making.
Conversations
- Listen and observe the conversations taking place as students experience the VR career videos. What aspects engage students? What questions are they asking each other?
Products
- Students could submit their Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer reproducible for you to assess understanding and guide future discussions about VR technology.
- Students could submit their VR and STEM Careers Reflection reproducible for you to guide future discussions about careers.
Students will:
- Learn about Virtual Reality (VR) technology and how it can be used
- Explore different STEM-related careers in a VR environment
- Consider potential future careers
- Discuss the potential of VR as a career recruitment tool
Learning Goals
Students will:
- Learn about Virtual Reality (VR) technology and how it can be used
- Explore different STEM-related careers in a VR environment
- Consider potential future careers
- Discuss the potential of VR as a career recruitment tool
Students can:
- Identify some benefits and drawbacks of VR technology
- Use VR equipment appropriately
- Describe a career experienced using VR technology
- Identify reasons why companies might choose to use VR for staff recruitment
Success Criteria
Students can:
- Identify some benefits and drawbacks of VR technology
- Use VR equipment appropriately
- Describe a career experienced using VR technology
- Identify reasons why companies might choose to use VR for staff recruitment
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe students as they complete the Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer. Note if the content is new for students or if there are connections they are already making.
Conversations
- Listen and observe the conversations taking place as students experience the VR career videos. What aspects engage students? What questions are they asking each other?
Products
- Students could submit their Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer reproducible for you to assess understanding and guide future discussions about VR technology.
- Students could submit their VR and STEM Careers Reflection reproducible for you to guide future discussions about careers.
Evidence of Student Learning
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Observations
- Observe students as they complete the Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer. Note if the content is new for students or if there are connections they are already making.
Conversations
- Listen and observe the conversations taking place as students experience the VR career videos. What aspects engage students? What questions are they asking each other?
Products
- Students could submit their Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer reproducible for you to assess understanding and guide future discussions about VR technology.
- Students could submit their VR and STEM Careers Reflection reproducible for you to guide future discussions about careers.
Materials and Preparation
Teaching and Learning Activities
This icon indicates potential assessment opportunities.
Minds-On: What is Virtual Reality (VR)? [20 min.]
| Instructions | Teaching Tips |
|---|---|
|
To introduce the topics of Virtual Reality (VR), have students watch the video Understanding Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. |
Images and VideosYou may wish to show the video with closed captioning displayed. |
|
Next, have students read the Let’s Talk Science backgrounder Exploring the World of Virtual Reality.
Then, in pairs or small groups, have students use a Key Concept Exploration strategy to complete the Virtual Reality Graphic Organizer reproducible [Google doc] [Word doc] [PDF]. 
|
IdeaYou may wish to provide students with time to do additional research to complete the chart. 
LanguageYou could create a word wall of new vocabulary encountered during the video and/or backgrounder. You could include terms in English as well as other languages such as French. |
Action: VR and STEM Careers [20-30 min.]
| Instructions | Teaching Tips |
|---|---|
|
Introduce the VR platform or software that students will use. Demonstrate how to use the controllers and headsets. Divide the students into small groups. The group size will depend on the amount of VR equipment you have. |
TechnologyIf you do not have access to high-end VR equipment, Google Cardboard makes inexpensive VR devices that work with most Smartphones. A free app is also required from the Google Play Store. |
|
Have students navigate to the Step inside your STEM Career page using their VR equipment. Assign each group one of the videos to explore. Each member of the group should have the opportunity to explore the video using the VR equipment. Encourage students to look around in all directions to get a good sense of the career being discussed. |
TechnologyIf you cannot access VR equipment, the videos can be viewed as 360 pannable videos on a computer or laptop. |
|
After viewing the video, have each student complete the VR and STEM Careers Reflection reproducible [Google doc] [Word doc] [PDF] 
|
|
Consolidation: VR and Career Exploration [20 min.]
| Instructions | Teaching Tips |
|---|---|
|
Have students participate in a large group discussion about the potential for VR in career exploration and how it can help students make decisions about future career paths. Potential discussion prompts are on the right. Information about VR and future careers can be in the background information for teachers section below. |
DiscussionsDiscussion prompts can include:
|
Background Information for Teachers
VR Learning and Future Careers
Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly emerging field that students will likely encounter more and more in educational settings.
VR learning immerses students and provides them with different perspectives on their learning that might not be available in a traditional classroom setting. VR learning also has the potential to create opportunities for students to think critically and solve problems in an environment that utilizes skills like spatial reasoning, decision-making, and creativity.
Image - Text Version
Shown is a colour photograph of a group of children gathered around a child wearing a large grey headset over their eyes. The child in the centre has their head tipped up and their hands out in front of them. They appear to be touching or pointing at something that can't be seen. Four other children are looking on, smiling curiously.
Not only will there be more and more ways for students to become users of VR, there will also be a greater demand for new VR technology and content. This will require knowledge of computer science, engineering, psychology, and design.
By understanding how VR works and how it can be used in different contexts, students can gain valuable skills and insights that can prepare them for careers in fields such as game development, architecture, medicine, and education.
Image - Text Version
Shown is a colour photograph of three young adults, in a studio with VR headsets, a laptop and a sketchbook. The person in the centre is wearing a pale grey headset that covers their eyes. They hold matching grey controllers in each hand. On the right, another person is smiling as they look down, typing on a laptop computer. On the left, a third person is drawing in a sketchbook. In the background, there are sketches of people and animals on monitors mounted in front of large windows. In the foreground, a desk is scattered with a tablet, more sketches, and a black VR headset.