How We Helped the University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Education, is a leading institution committed to equipping its student teachers with the skills and confidence needed for today’s dynamic classrooms. In the unique Canadian and Francophone educational context, this means preparing future educators to navigate diverse student groups, manage complex classroom dynamics, and make real-time pedagogical decisions under pressure.
Recognising that traditional methods often fall short in simulating these intricate realities, the Faculty of Education set out to create an innovative learning experience that would bridge the gap between theory and practice, bringing the classroom’s true complexity into the training environment.
Our Mandate
Design and develop an immersive VR and 360-degree simulation platform for student teachers to practice classroom management and pedagogical decision-making in realistic scenarios.
Services Provided:
- Immersive Learning Strategy
- VR Experience Design
- 3D Simulation Development
- Narrative Design for Education
- Interaction Design
- Multi-format Integration (VR Headset & 360-degree Projection)
- AI-driven Simulation & Feedback Systems
- User Experience (UX) Research & Design
ClasseXR is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
The Challenge
Simulating the Unpredictable Classroom
Preparing student teachers for the realities of a live classroom presents unique challenges that conventional training methods often can’t address. The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education faced critical questions:
- How to replicate complexity? How can we truly simulate the emotional, cognitive, and sensory intensity of real classrooms in a safe, yet authentic, environment?
- Ensuring true presence? How do we ensure student teachers feel genuinely immersed and present in the virtual classroom, fostering full commitment to the learning process?
- Measuring practical learning? How can we verify that actual, tangible learning is occurring, and that students are demonstrating measurable progress in their pedagogical skills?
The Faculty understood that for future educators to be truly prepared, they needed an experience that went beyond theoretical knowledge, allowing them to practice and refine their skills in a high-fidelity, yet controlled, setting.
Enter Aequilibrium.
ClasseXR is transforming how we prepare our student teachers. The immersive scenarios are invaluable tools for developing their classroom readiness.
–
Faculty of Education Representative, University of Ottawa
The Solution
In a pioneering partnership ClasseXR was developped. Our solution focused on realism, flexibility, and actionable feedback:
- Experiential Scenarios: We developed two engaging scenarios, accessible both through Meta Quest 3 headsets for individual, personal immersion and via Igloo Vision’s 360-degree immersive space for collaborative group training.
- Lifelike Simulations: The virtual classrooms feature animated details such as authentic facial expressions, gaze, gestures, and voice tones, creating a profound sense of realism and presence that mirrors actual classroom dynamics.
- Differentiated Format Use: By leveraging both individual VR headsets and the communal Igloo installation, ClasseXR offers versatile learning. The headset provides a deeply personal experience, while the Igloo fosters collaborative simulation, encouraging discussion, group analysis, and shared critical thinking.
- Evaluation System: A built-in system tracks student actions and decisions within the scenarios. This allows for personalized feedback, enabling student teachers to improve their pedagogical skills over time.
Key Features & Outcomes
- Enhanced Observational & Situational Awareness: Student teachers developed a sharper ability to assess classroom environments and react effectively to unfolding situations.
- Improved Readiness for Classroom Realities: Through repeated exposure to complex, simulated interactions, students gained practical experience and confidence before entering live classrooms.
- Better Integration of Theory into Practice: ClasseXR provided a dynamic environment for applying theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, supported by structured reflection and scenario-based decision-making processes.
The Next Frontier in Teacher Education
ClasseXR is more than just a training tool; it’s a testament to the future of teacher education, demonstrating that immersive technologies and artificial intelligence are already here to revolutionize learning. The platform offers a highly scalable and accessible way to provide student teachers with realistic teaching contexts, regardless of geographical location or resource constraints.
This innovative partnership marks the beginning of a profound transformation in how we prepare educators for the multifaceted challenges of tomorrow’s classrooms. ClasseXR paves the way for a new kind of learning experience that is truly powered by presence, interactivity, and intelligent feedback.
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