Endeavour Foundation helps Oakey State High School teach life lessons virtually

For students with learning disabilities, getting ready for work and life outside school can be daunting, but virtual reality is helping students of Oakey State High School prepare for the real world.

Crossing the road and withdrawing money from an ATM might seem mundane tasks for many, but for students with an intellectual disability or autism they can be daunting.

To help safely learn and practice new skills from the comfort of the classroom, Endeavour Foundation in partnership with Arrow Energy are helping to introduce virtual reality learning hubs to schools across regional Queensland.

Oakey State High School has recently received the life-changing technology, with the computer, VR headset, software and training to run VR learning programs a hit among the students.

Endeavour Foundation CEO Andrew Donne said he was proud to show Endeavour Foundation’s commitment to regional and rural schools as the organisation marks its 70th anniversary.

“Providing the latest VR learning technology to regional and rural schools brings us back to our roots when our members were starting schools across Queensland.

“We’re proud to contribute this world-leading technology so that country and regional school kids of all abilities are at the front of the queue and have access to the best educational tools available.”

Mr Donne said the VR learning tools were developed in conjunction with Queensland University of Technology.

“The beauty of these programs is that they assist students with different learning disabilities to practise skills in a safe environment,” Mr Donne said.

“It helps everyday situations become familiar before you run any risks, so when you’re ready to catch a train for the first time or even drive a car, you feel more confident in real life thanks to the virtual practice.

“We originally developed these tools for our adult Learning and Lifestyle hubs. However, they’re perfect for students because it feels like you’re playing a game but you’re actually learning.”

Oakey State High School special needs teacher Jessamyn Daniells said it was exciting to offer the program and its educational benefits to their students.

Ms Daniells works with students with intellectual impairments, who are non-verbal, have cerebral palsy, autism and speech language impairment. Oakey students will learn from programs covering road and train safety, barista training, and using an ATM.

“It is allowing them to access a new world and situations they might not have access to, it’s allowing them to practice skills and develop their independent skills in a safe, comfortable environment in the classroom,” she said.

“It is just so gratifying to see the students go from having very little problem solving skills to being independent learners, figuring things out for themselves and being so entranced in the world of virtual reality.

“Our students are going to experience things they couldn’t do in person because it might be unsafe or we’re not able to get that sort of access due to restrictions in the local community.”

Originally published as Endeavour Foundation helps Oakey State High School teach life lessons virtually