Alcove

Intro

Alcove is a family-oriented VR application designed to help seniors overcome social isolation. Up to 4 people can connect in thier virtual homes appearing as their as Oculus avatars to play checkers, go on virtual tours with 360-degree media, and upload their own images and videos to share on virtual screens and frames. As the application is designed for seniors, the interface is neat and accessible. The application also supports both controllers and hand-tracking. If you are a teacher that is looking for a virtual space that is easy to navigate and avoid the technical clutter of controllers, this might be a good option to consider.

Number of users: Maximum four people
Ease of use: Easy. There is no need for controllers, additional hardware, or any set-up.
Best for: Ready made space that is free of complex technical setup and navigation.

First Steps

Where to find it:

Oculus Webpage: https://alcovevr.com/

Rendenver Webpage: https://www.rendever.com/

How to Register: https://www.rendever.com/get-rendever

Inviting others to your space: https://www.facebook.com/alcovevr/videos/2756134204487859/

Spaces in Alcove: Users are set to the default living room space and it's activity rooms, but Alcove does offer some customizing functions, as shown below.

Users can choose between 3 different backgrounds

Ocean

Mountain

Meadow

Users can upload videos to the living room TV to share with family or others

Users have the options to upload photos to the picture frames in the living room space

Pedagogical Tools

There are no specific pedagogical tools as the app is primarily designed as a social and recreational platform for seniors, offering a range of activities, games, and experiences to engage in. The focus of the app is on promoting socialization, cognitive stimulation, and entertainment for seniors.

Potential Pedagogical Uses

Although Alcove is not specifically designed for language teaching, depending on your needs, the environment could still be beneficial for small group conversations or meetings. The various activities offered in Alcove could also be potential teaching materials.

The Living room space and activity room can be used to have meetings or discussions in small groups

Living room picture wall may be useful for conversation practice, such as asking students to upload photos and having a mini show and tell

The activity room offers many interactable videos around the world (some 360 videos).

Pros/Cons

Pros:

User-friendly interface: The app is originally designed for seniors, so it has an user-friendly and accessible interface, making it accessible to those who may not be familiar with virtual reality technology.
Socialization: Alcove VR allows seniors to connect with their loved ones and friends in a virtual environment, promoting socialization and reducing feelings of isolation.
Mental stimulation and entertainment: The app offers a variety of activities and games that can help stimulate the brain and improve cognitive function. The app offers a range of experiences and activities, including travel, music, and games, providing seniors with a source of entertainment.

Cons:

Cost: It is not free, but there is a demo version: https://www.rendever.com/get-rendever
Group size: It only allows four people

Additional Resources

Page updated

Report abuse