Here at Digital Scribbler, one of the things we believe in is using technology to help overcome our own human limits. One of the platforms that is creating and will continue to create huge areas for opportunity in this field is Virtual Reality (VR). We are very excited to be exploring the ideas that will come with using VR in inclusion.
We recorded a podcast talking introducing the topic of VR and how we believe it will be used, you can listen to it here.
We will be posting once a week detailing the latest news in VR. Anything we see that is interesting or pertaining to what we are doing as well as general shifts or exciting things in this field. As well as one more post a week detailing what we are working on, things we have done, and things we hope to do in the future.
Here is, This Week In Virtual Reality:
FEATURED (video) – Craig Chaytor, the father of a girl with learning disabilities due to Williams syndrome, teaches himself to make 360° videos to bring school trips to her. A big possible use for Virtual Reality in schools with people with special needs is for them to be able to go places virtually they are unable to go otherwise. Here is a quick example of how simple, powerful, and useful VR can be to take people places they wouldn’t have been able to go before.
“Clearly distressed and disoriented, she is led to a comfortable chair by carers. Once she is settled (though still visibly agitated), a virtual reality headset is gently placed onto her head. ‘Ooh, look at it,’ she immediately says in wonder. Mary is sitting in a virtual beach scene diorama. The effect on her mood is dramatic; before long, she is singing ‘I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside’.” (Video)
VR has already taken people with dementia to the seaside – and now video games are exploring neurological disease itself. It seems like multiple times every week, I hear about VR being used to help someone with a mental illness be able to calm down and relax. This article describes the story of how a woman who suffers from Dementia can be instantly transported to a calm, peaceful state of mind.
High School teacher in Oakland uses Virtual Reality to show students possible future careers
High School students in Singapore use VR to learn about what it is like living with depression. Being able to transport into the body of a girl who lives with depression, seeing the world the way she sees it, and hearing the thoughts she has.
VR For Therapy – Politicians use Virtual Reality therapy applications that can be used for people with neurological conditions.