Curriculum Lab

Welcome to episode 8 of "EdTechVerse" podcast, where we talk about VR/AR storytelling for the little ones and how it might prepare them for a digital world.

What’s your favourite bedtime story?

Who is the best storyteller you know, is it your mom or your pre-school teacher?

Will VR/AR storytelling replace the human touch?

Legend of the Oracle

Fyrian legend has it that there will come a time when heaven turns its back on mortals. Men will experience hunger and thirst, chaos and destruction. This suffering only ends with the sacrifice of all the first-born children of Fyria. Generations of Fyrians have lived and died without the prophecy coming to pass. Only the Oracle holds the key to unlocking this mystery.

The Oracle herself is a lady of grace and beauty, ageless and wise. In her younger years as an Fyrian warrior, she went by the name Aleia the Brave. As the eldest child of King Tylus, she was called to the defence of her people. For her, the life of warfare only made her appreciate life more. She granted mercy to looters and pillagers, helping them build loving families and strong communities.

Yet her life was taken by an arrow through her heart, a poisoned arrow shot from the wicked bow of Yuana, witch of Ubata. Ubata is the nemesis of Fyria and the two kingdoms have been at each other’s throats with no recourse for reconciliation. The looters and pillagers were sent by Ubata to chisel away at Fyria’s prosperity, one property at a time. Aleia’s goodness only shed light on Yuana’s darkness, a light that Yuana was determined to extinguish.

When Aleia’s lifeless body was brought before King Tylus, grief beset the kingdom. The warrior princess was much loved by her people. On the day of Aleia’s fire burial ceremony, heaven cried and no torch could be lit for the funeral pyre. A streak of lightning struck the pile of firewood and the flames engulfed Aleia’s body without burning her. A voice thundered and said, “Here lies the Oracle of the mortal lands, reborn of lightning to serve her peoples for eternity.”

After Aleia was granted immortality in exchange for her guardianship of the mortal lands of Fyrians and non-Fyrians alike, she took on the mantle of the Oracle and no longer answered to the name Aleia. Holding the secret to ensuring their survival in the time of the Great Calamity, ages came and went and the Oracle defended her peoples against disasters great and terrible.

Storytelling plays an important role in cognitive development. Listening to a story is engaging and when we are engaged, we retain information. Stories allow us to make inferences as we try and work out where the story is going and how it will end. Getting lost in a story allows the reader to experience new and unfamiliar environments and emotions. It draws you in, painting a vibrant picture in your imagination allowing you to become someone else or experience life in another era.

How can virtual reality support storytelling and comprehension in the classroom? Being a part of the short narration about the oracle, your little ones are instantly transported to another place and time; immersed in an imaginary land or place in history where they can step outside of themselves and become a character from the story.

Placed at the beginning of a scene or story, students can explore the narrative structure, from beginning, middle to the end. Students are immediately engaged in a colourful, far-away place and can discuss their surroundings, developing their descriptive vocabulary. Becoming an active participant allows students to identify with the characters they have read about, encouraging the development of empathy. Students can re-enact parts, or all of the story, engaging with their classmates through play, retaining key aspects from the narrative and improving fluency.

The short story we narrated is just an example and there are many classic children’s stories that we grew up on, like Hare and Tortoise, Peter Pan, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, Mother Goose where VR versions of them can be easily found.

When using VR headsets, some might experience nausea or dizziness if worn for too long. Thus, like all digital tools used in education, there are guidelines for safe use and the current advice would be to wear the VR headsets for twenty minutes or less.

Immersive technology has made great leaps over the last few years and besides VR storytelling, there can be AR storytelling. Unlike virtual reality which is fully immersive, augmented reality overlays elements on the real-world environment, blending the digital and physical worlds.

AR storytelling can encourage real-time interaction with the physical surroundings. Users can see and interact with virtual objects or characters within their immediate physical environment, enhancing their perception and engagement. It can provide additional information, context, or visualizations that complement and enrich the physical environment.

AR storytelling can also incorporate interactive elements that respond to the user's actions or the physical environment. Users can manipulate virtual objects, trigger events, or participate in interactive experiences within the augmented space.

And the key difference between VR storytelling and AR storytelling?

AR storytelling allows users to move freely within their physical environment while experiencing virtual elements. They are not confined to a closed virtual space but can explore and engage with the world around them.

Both VR storytelling and AR storytelling have their own strengths and applications. VR offers deep immersion and a focused narrative experience, while AR enhances the real world by adding virtual layers of interactivity and context. Whether you choose VR or AR storytelling for your little ones, it kind of depends on your preference, the stories you are telling and what you hope to achieve from the storytelling sessions.

We hope today's EdTechVerse episode talking about VR/AR storytelling sparked your curiosity enough to think about including either VR or AR into storytime with your little ones. Join us in the next episode as we talk about nurturing a growth mindset.

As always, stay curious, and keep learning!