Seaforth High Blazing A Trail in Virtual Reality Learning

Seaforth High School in St. Thomas is stepping out of the traditional textbook learning and into the future through the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in the classroom.

The technology, which has been immersed into subject areas such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Business Management, is not only boosting student interest and engagement but is helping to drive academic passes at the institution.

Business and Information Technology (IT) teacher at the institution, Terron Strachan, who is leading the charge, tells JIS News that VR is “a new way of learning”.

VR leverages immersive stimulation to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and real-world applications, allowing students to form a deeper connection with their subject matter.

Mr. Strachan notes that VR enables students to touch and move items without physical possession, offering a cost-effective solution for resource-constrained schools.

“Having a system where the students are immersed in a virtual world and they can take up a processor or take up a graphics card and put it into a computer in the virtual world, it’s a really different experience and… it really gives them a greater connection with the subject,” he points out.

He cites studies showing that students are less districted in the virtual world and are more focused on the subject area.

Furthermore, the students are naturally drawn to technology, considering the current and ever-evolving digital age.

“They like their phones. They like their tablets so why not create a space where we can reach them more? We can bring the lesson in such a way that they are more interested. As a connectivist, which is someone who believes strongly in the use of technology to enhance learning, it’s very important to have a system like this for the students,” Mr. Strachan says.

The impact of VR technology at Seaforth High speaks for itself, with improved passes in Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

Mr. Strachan, who has been at Seaforth High School for just two years, tells JIS News: “The passes for IT before I came were at about 56 per cent. Last year my passes were 100 per cent in IT with a slight dip this year to 85 per cent. However, for Management of Business, we moved from 34 per cent to 80 per cent last year when I came and 100 per cent for this year. I attribute the passes to the use of technology.”

Currently, the school is in the process of acquiring additional VR headsets so that each student in a class will be able to have a device and the entire classroom can be connected during a lesson.

Mr. Strachan points out that not all lessons are taught using VR, noting that the technology is used for certain topics and for specific ways in which some pupils learn.

He has conceptualised ‘VR4ED Jamaica’ – a vision for all educational institutions in the country to embrace VR as a learning tool.

He says the undertaking will require investment in the acquisition of equipment such as headsets and training of teachers and students.

He notes, however, that “the benefit that comes from VR is far greater than the cost, because at the end of the day, if we reach one learner, it makes a big difference”.

The innovative teacher, who recently received the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s Region Two Spirit of Care Award for Innovation, also uses artificial intelligence (AI) in his classrooms.

He has his own AI Assistant that carries out different functions like grouping students for activities, controlling lights and sound and sending reminders for general classroom management tasks.

“It’s a whole ecosystem. She controls the TVs; she can turn them on and off. So, it’s really interesting with what she can do and with using technology in the space,” Mr. Strachan says.

The dedicated educator, who previously worked in the corporate world, says that over his two-year tenure at Seaforth High and stewardship of the ICT Club, 15 different awards have been won by the school and its students.

“The students are the reason why I do what I do. I think that what is different from in the corporate world was that you’re letting companies make a lot of money, but I’m actually here impacting lives and helping the students and it means more to me,” he says.

Grade-11 student, Jevonte Hamilton, tells JIS News that VR is making a big difference in his learning experience, helping him to focus more on his lessons.

“Traditional classroom [learning] is not really my thing but ever since I’ve been using VR, I’ve been learning a lot in information technology and other technology subjects,” he says.

He describes VR as a more fun way to learn and experience how things work, pointing out that it could go “a far way” in the education system.

Jevonte recently won a back-to-school competition staged by the Universal Service Fund (USF), topping a field of candidates from schools across the country. It was Mr. Strachan’s encouragement that led the usually reserved youngster to take a chance on himself.

Ramona Williams, who copped first place in a Scientific Research Council (SRC) Essay and Oratory Competition, under the guidance of Mr. Strachan, also hailed the use of VR in the classroom.

She tells JIS News: “My experience with VR has been amazing, so far.

“With VR, I am not distracted. I am fully immersed in learning. It is so fun to me. You literally feel like you are in a new world and you’re so focused on what you’re doing; it just comes so quick to you. It’s very easy to do and I really love it,” she says.

Ramona adds: “I think VR in education is easily accessible. I feel like for people who do not have access to many books or many things to practise on, it is very easy because you can see [everything] in the world around you. You don’t have to buy things for each and every student. Every student can just get a turn with [headset] and they can learn it too.”

She commends Mr. Strachan for his hard work and dedication.

“Mr. Strachan pushes us to do our best. He does everything in his power to make sure that we come out on top and I do believe in this coming CSEC exams we will do great,” she expresses.

The IT Lab, which houses the VR technology will be equipped with AI-powered air-conditioning units, which the school won in Wisynco’s ‘Hydrate to Educate’ competition that Mr. Strachan entered.