Before delving into the worlds that virtual reality has to offer, it's important to remember where we stand in the real world... literally! Here are some quick safety pointers when it comes to using VR:

• Fit the headset. In order to reduce the amount of weight felt by the user while wearing the VR headset, it must be fitted accordingly. Use the straps located on both the sides and top of the device to ensure that it fits snug on the user's head. The device should be secured in a way that prevents it from moving or sliding around the user's face while also not being so tight as to leave behind markings or present discomfort.

• Adjust lenses! Given how virtual reality technologies work, it's important that whenever a new user puts on the headset, they focus the device's lenses to their vision. Have the user adjust the dial located on top of the device until they get the clearest picture. Generally, text clarity can be the best indicator of a good focus.

• Center the user. Whenever a new user is putting on the VR headset, the virtual environment needs to be recentered around them to ensure it's displayed properly and scaled to their height. To do this, simply press and hold the button marked with the Pico logo for a few seconds.

• Don't move! It can be almost instinctive to want to walk around an environment in virtual reality, but actually doing so can introduce motion sickness, break immersion, and, of course, introduce the risk of collision with real-world objects and barriers. Instead, it's best to have the user sit or stand in place, turning their head and body as needed.

• Limit session lengths! While virtual reality technologies are perfectly safe, there are some more palpable consequences for its overuse. In order to avoid eye strain and motion sickness, research and field professionals recommend that VR sessions stay in range of about 30 minutes.

Developed by Pico in 2017, the Goblin headset is a standalone virtual reality (VR) unit running its own, modified version of Android. Although a bit dated when compared to what VR technologies we have now, this is more than sufficient for our uses!

Click Here to review the specifications of the Pico Goblin headset.

Device Controls

The Power Button is located on the top-right of the device and is paired with an LED indicator light for power status information.

The Select Button, used for general navigation, is a blank, pill-shaped button located on the right of the device.

The Home Button, indicated by the Pico logo, is located above the 'Select' button on the right side of the device. Pressing this button will bring the user back to the PicoUI home screen, holding it will recenter the virtual environment around the user.

The Volume Rocker is located on the right side of the device with '+' and '-' indicators for increasing and decreasing the volume respectively.

The Focus Dial is located on top of the device and should be used to ensure a clear picture for the user.

Reminder: Please ensure that you are keeping in mind recommendations from the 'VR Safety' section above!

1. Press and hold the power button on the top of the device. After a few moments, the LED indicator should flash red, blue, or not flash at all. If the indicator light flashes blue, you may proceed to the next step, otherwise, you will need to ensure the device is charged.

2. Put on the VR headset. You should see the Pico logo displayed on screen while the device is booting. Once it has finished, you will be asked to either pair a controller or skip this step. If you will be using a controller, follow the on-screen instructions to pair it, otherwise, press the select button to continue.

3. You should now be greeted by the PicoUI home screen. At this point, you may jump into the various apps and videos we have loaded on the headsets. If you need guidance, refer to the appropriate section from 'Our VR Offerings' below.

Nationally recognized for their innovation in the field, Kinful is a social-emotional learning program powered by student-created virtual reality. The program consists of a set of 360° videos, each with paper-based activities to be completed alongside them. Instructions for individual activities may be found in the Kinful binder, but here is how you locate and watch the videos necessary in VR:

1. Boot the device using the steps found above.

2. On the home screen, locate the 'File Manager' app. Generally, this app appears on the lower-right corner of the screen.

3. The content of the device may take a moment to load. Once it does, all of the videos currently loaded on the device should be present. Select the video needed by title from the list and keep in mind it may be further down on the page.

That's all there is to it! At this point, the video may be paused and the headset worn by the user who will be participating in the activity.

This app is not yet loaded on all headsets.

The "Happy Place" app, downloaded directly from the Pico store, immerses users in a calming, guided meditation at their campsite by the water. The user can interact with almost anything in their surroundings, each object providing a different reaction to their gaze. In addition, there is a book that sits atop the table nearby which can turn on or off the meditation guide for those who may just need a calm environment.

Here's how to get started:

1. Boot the device using the steps found above.

2. On the home screen, locate the 'Library' app. Generally, this appears in the lower-right corner of the screen.

3. The device should now display all of the apps installed on it. Here, find the 'Happy Place' app and open it.

4. The app may take a moment to load. Once it does, options will be presented for different environments, only the "valley" option being available. Select this option if it is not automatically loaded for you.

That's that! Once the environment has loaded, the headset may be given to the user who will be participating in the activity.

While the WiFi connection on our VR headsets should remain off, there is no denying that YouTube houses a vast library of VR content that may be beneficial or make for a good activity to our students. If there are any videos you would like to download from YouTube, standard or 360°, please send the links my way at matt_hogan@waysideyouth.org and I will assist you in loading them onto the headsets.

Click Here to view the full list of videos that have been loaded on the headsets.

If you are looking to access a video that has already been loaded onto the device, the process is the same as it would be for accessing Kinful videos:

1. Boot the device using the steps found above.

2. On the home screen, locate the 'File Manager' app. Generally, this app appears on the lower-right corner of the screen.

3. The content of the device may take a moment to load. Once it does, all of the videos currently loaded on the device should be present. Select the video needed by title from the list and keep in mind it may be further down on the page.

That's all there is to it! At this point, the video may be paused and the headset worn by the user who will be participating in the activity.