\u201cStudents share the quasi-realism of a 3D environment where participants can see and hear one another, this provides a strong sense of group presence, which leads to engaging group learning interactions.\u201d<\/strong>[1]<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Whilst educational VR platforms are still in their infancy, one platform in particular, the Engage platform from Immersive technologies www.engagevr.io<\/a> is leading the way in the virtual learning arena and designers like KAEP are working together with psychologists and educators www.psychologyvr.org<\/a> to create immersive learning spaces which boost student engagement and improve cognition and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article provides an overview of the newly created \u2018Olympus Campus\u2019 created by George Kenyon of KAEP as a proof of concept to generate further debate amongst educators and designers alike who are interested in designing and using virtual learning spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Olympus is designed to create a compelling and participatory experience for users. In this particular design the focus has been on recreating a real-world style campus and although the design is currently only a prototype it has already received a great deal of interest from educators interested in taking their courses online and into VR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The need to move courses online has never been more prevalent than at this current time when many students are having to self-isolate at home and are unable to attend college. The social campus model provides students with hang-out spaces to allow them to connect with their peers or relax outside of class. The environment encourages students to stay on campus for longer and the greater sense of immersion experienced inside VR, creates a great degree of flow than what students experience during video conferencing. Students easily lose track of time inside VR and are less likely to be distracted by outside influences during their learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bright open social gathering places predict higher student achievement and that learning environments affect both the student\u2019s mental state and their academic achievement. The learning environment can affect how people act, feel and make sense of the world and that campus colour can make students feel warm, cool, calm and invited or excluded.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n To encourage student socialisation in-between and after sessions the Olympus Campus makes use of friendly outdoor spaces and seating areas for students to gather. Green spaces and natural skyboxes mimic real-world conditions and provide students with a welcome escape from the winter blues\/dull grey weather outside in the real world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n To encourage students to explore the Olympus Campus, the architect included pathways that lead through nature, along rivers, bridges, outdoor seating areas, grassy spaces and even a beach area for group discussion and time to process information learnt in class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is an adequate amount of buildings which can be used for a wide variety of educational sessions as well as a medium-size stage area for scheduled and unscheduled events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The sense of excitement students get walking through such a special place can only be fully understood by experiencing this first-hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why not join the team this coming Wednesday 9th<\/sup> December at 9.30GMT in Zoom to be a part of a discussion on the future of education hosted by The Enso Education Institute<\/a>, concluding with a tour of the Olympus Campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n http:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/an-introduction-to-kairos-wonders-of-the-universe-tickets-130342837937<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t yet have a VR headset, Engage VR can be enjoyed on PC and Android tablets too. Be sure to download your software version before the event at www.engagevr.io<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kaep.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/a1.png\")
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