HistoryMaker VR, a virtual reality content creation tool geared for teaching history in schools, will be coming to Steam on August 13. The project is aimed at middle school students and will allow presenters to become historical figures to "encourage retention and active learning."
Essentially, players can select a character, upload a script, and then record themselves reading a script, which will be reflected in virtual reality by the character moving around. Players will be able to choose from a cast of 8 different individuals from American history, which includes Benjamin Franklin and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer.
Players will be able to customize the stage they are on with different props and backgrounds to ensure that their presentation is uniquely theirs, which should hopefully avoid a PowerPoint situation where everyone's presentation looks and acts the same. Once students are done with their assignment, the videos and work can be exported and edited by teachers and classmates to review.
For teachers, the program comes with a desktop component that will allow them to help set up and manage their classroom, along with student assistance if it's needed.
“We wanted to create something that not only allows students to learn, but, more importantly, experience the words on the page. So often, reading about people and events from the past feels hollow, because it’s difficult to relate,” said Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games. “With HistoryMaker VR, we hope to fill that void and make history learning interactive and engaging.”
The game will be playable on Oculus Rift/Rift S, and will be available for educators for free, with everyone else having to pay $9.99 in order to buy the game on Steam. If you are interested in learning more about the game, be sure to check out its website here.
What do you think of this news? Do you think VR can be successfully integrated into classrooms? If so, do you think games like HistoryMaker VR will be leading the charge? Let us know in the comments!
