Gamechanger's INTERVENTION: A Unique and Immersive Early-Intervention Programme.
GAMECHANGER’S GROUNDBREAKING INTERVENTION PROGRAMME USES CUTTING-EDGE VR TECHNOLOGY TO BRING THE LEARNING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE TO LIFE. BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS VR? WHAT IS IT LIKE TO EXPERIENCE? HOW DOES IT BENEFIT EDUCATION? AND HOW EASY IS IT TO USE IN A CLASSROOM SETTING? WE BROUGHT THE GAMECHANGER TECH WIZARD OUT OF HIBERNATION TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE.
What exactly is VR? Why all the hype?
VR – or Virtual Reality – Virtual reality, or VR, is a simulated 360° environment that lets users explore and interact with their surroundings in a way that approximates reality, using the users’ senses, especially sight and hearing. The environment is created with computer hardware and software, and users typically wear devices such as goggles, headsets or bodysuits to interact with the simulated environment. VR is highly immersive, and users can easily suspend their belief and accept their experiences as real. At Gamechanger we use VR headsets.
That’s all well and good, but how do these headsets help young people learn?
Gamechanger uses VR as part of our blended learning approach. Blended learning is a combination of different learning styles to maximise reach and impact for students who might learn best through a variety of means. The Gamechanger blended learning approach has been developed by our educational and behavioural specialists, who draw on over 30 years of experience in experiential learning processes. It encompasses a range of approaches and styles, and we have found VR to be an integral part of our successful early-intervention approach. It is engaging and entertaining for young people. The all-involving nature of our VR 360° film allows Gamechanger to present social issues such as CCE and Knife Crime in a gritty and realistic manner, which can be confronting. Thankfully, by framing this VR experience within our wider INTERVENTION programme, we can ensure a safe and supportive environment for any participants with previous adverse experiences or who are at immediate risk. We believe this realistic, structured approach allows for increased awareness and a legacy of empowerment for young people to make strong choices about their futures when faced with issues such as CCE and Knife Crime.
How do INTERVENTION and its VR elements work in a classroom setting?
At Gamechanger, we use PICO headsets. They feature an adjustable strap, weigh 400g each, and are considered very comfortable. A typical Gamechanger Intervention package will include 10 student headsets, user information and the Gamechanger Challenges Bag of Character. The INTERVENTION programme is designed to be delivered over 6 sessions, for small groups of about 10 young people. Sessions variously include; VR usage, individual engagement with the personal development and contextual online learning platform, and collaborative, group work focused on practical challenges and teambuilding. You and your colleagues will receive accredited training by a member of our team to effectively deliver these sessions within your school or organisation.
But you’re a tech wizard. How does a teacher who has never used VR before deliver this programme?
Don’t panic: the Gamechanger team will meet with you and your colleagues for a training session before you start delivering to your young person cohort. You will get to experience the VR 360° film first-hand and become used to the headsets. We will also take you through the student learning and personal development portal (hosted from our custom e-learning website) and provide you with a teacher login so you can monitor your students’ progress and provide the correct support. We will make sure you are comfortable with the VR tech, the Gamechanger Challenge kit, and the accompanying contextual work. All this training – ‘Facilitation Skills for Experiential Learning’ – is an accredited CPD programme with plenty of applicable skills across teaching and working with young people. Most importantly, we will be on hand to offer support for any questions and issues throughout the entirety of the programme’s delivery phase.
Ok, I feel a lot better about using this technology now. It actually sounds very exciting. What do professionals who have delivered INTERVENTION have to say about it?
It is exciting! Here are some comments from professionals who have been trained to deliver Gamechanger’s INTERVENTION programme:
“The programme will give safe ways to support a young person. It highlights, in detail, the characters and things to look out for and creates awareness.”
“This is a very important tool when working with vulnerable young people.”
“The information was realistic as the subject cannot be ‘sugar-coated’, but it wasn’t graphic to the extent of being inappropriate.”
Ok, you have more than convinced me! Where do I sign up?
We thought you’d never ask! Our INTERVENTION VR programme for CCE and County Lines is available now. A wide range of other titles – including but not limited to Knife Crime and Serious Violence, Gender Based Violence, Child Sexual Exploitation, Online Safety and Social Isolation – are currently in development. We are always open to collaboration for specific subject matter. If you want to find out more, please get in touch with us through the link below to book a demo call.
