The SIMPLE project, dedicated to creating virtual reality universes for environmental education, has conducted a series of consultation and co-construction sessions in Can Tho, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand. These sessions involved a diverse range of educational stakeholders, including teachers, future educators, supervisors, curriculum designers, IT experts, researchers, and NGOs.

Key Objectives of the Sessions were:

• Understanding Environmental Education: The team sought to explore how environmental education is currently implemented in schools and identify areas where VR could make a significant contribution.
• Assessing Digital Tool Usage: The sessions aimed to evaluate the current use of digital tools in education and identify potential challenges or limitations.
• Exploring VR Potential: By engaging with educators, the team explored the potential of VR to enhance learning experiences and address specific educational needs.
• Gathering Feedback: Participants were invited to share their recommendations and feedback on integrating VR into the classroom, helping to inform the project’s development.

Recent workshops organised by CTU team with the participation of educators in Can Tho further highlighted the project’s commitment to pedagogical excellence. The focus of this session was on co-construction, a process of refining the VR games to ensure they are not only engaging but also effective tools for learning. By carefully validating pedagogical objectives and fine-tuning gameplay mechanics, the team is working to create VR experiences that seamlessly blend education and innovation.

Similar workshops were also organised by NSTDA which gathered interesting results and feedback from the participants for the development of a pedagogical plan using virtual universes and VR headsets in class. 

As the Simple Project continues to evolve, the insights gained from these consultation and co-construction sessions will play a crucial role in shaping the development of the virtual reality universes. By collaborating with educators and other stakeholders, the project aims to create immersive and impactful learning experiences that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Let’s find out in the near future how this will be implemented in schools!