360 Stories & VR Movies

Overview

Put yourself in the middle of the action using apps including YouTube VR, Oculus TV, and Within, to explore unique places that are normally inaccessible. Tours such as: underwater exploration, traveling in the body’s bloodstream, or being in a WWI trench, provide unique viewing and learning experiences.

Benefits and Tips

• These movies open an exciting new avenue for educational content - often filling a content area where it is difficult to find an app, i.e Civil War, World War I...

• View movies using a stationary guardian; with most you can be sitting down (swivel chair recommended)

• Movies are less interactive and typically entertaining or educational - the 360 VR aspect and surround sound audio creates an immersive experience 

• Many are free or have a small cost

• Warning - if used in a location with unfiltered Internet access - be aware that the content will not be filtered

• Some movies provide an option to stream or download

  • Stream
    (+) Can view immediately, doesn't fill storage space on the headset. 
    (-) Must be online,  may lag based on available bandwidth and if other students are streaming at the same time

  • Download
    (+) You can view the movie without being online, fast playback - no lag, ideal if multiple students will be watching a movie on a shared headset, often higher quality
    (-) Takes time to download, fills  storage space - at a premium on Oculus Quests' with only 64GB of RAM, may need to delete later

• Tip: Headphones or earbuds can often make the experience even more immersive and helps when many headsets are being used in the same space.  However, the teacher benefits in hearing the audio played through the external speakers - as it allows them to more easily know if a student is viewing the assigned movie or app or need assistance

• While the YouTube 360 VR movies could be viewed in a phone's YouTube app - with the phone placed inside a Google Cardboard...viewing the video in the YouTube VR app on the Oculus Quest with the audio is more immersive.  

• Tip: Within and YouTube allows you to view/preview your movie on your computer before opening it on the headset.  This is useful for evaluating movies, sharing a link to a movie with a teacher who may be considering integrating the movie into their curriculum.  It is also useful for viewing if a student is unable to wear the Oculus Quest headset. 

We will cover VR story creation in the May 20 workshop (9:00 AM instead of 10:00 AM).  This is another option for filling the "app void" - create your own!