Immersive Virtual Reality Classes Coming to Mississippi Charter Schools

Mississippi tech company to partner with charter schools to provide professional development opportunities and customized VR content

Thanks to a federal grant and a partnership with a Mississippi technology company, students attending one of 10 charter schools in Mississippi will now have access to educational programs delivered through virtual reality.

The immersive learning method, which is set to begin this school year, is the result of a $510,000 federal grant to the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board under the Future Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. A statement from the board credits U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde Smith with making the grant possible through her support.

Hyde-Smith’s office said her position on the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education subcommittee played a key role in securing the funding.

Immersive Virtual Reality to enhance the learning experience

The grant will provide charter school teachers with professional development in the use of virtual reality equipment and related educational software, giving these teachers the tools they need to create engaging lesson plans. The grant will also cover the cost of purchasing the hardware and software.

“Virtual reality experiences allow students to explore complex topics like science, math, and history in an engaging way that promotes deeper understanding and retention,” the council notes in its announcement.

Lobaki, a Mississippi-based company, partners with the Council to provide professional development and develop content tailored to the needs of each charter school.

“By providing innovative learning experiences through virtual reality, all of our fellows will have the opportunity to engage in a risk-free, inclusive learning environment that will enhance their educational experiences in ways never before imagined,” said Dr. Lisa Karmacharya, executive director of MCSAB.

We combine practical experience with technology in the classroom

According to a grant application provided by MCSAB to the Magnolia Tribune, the virtual reality classes will benefit charter school students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight. High schools will receive 18 headsets along with necessary software and hardware for instruction. Elementary schools will receive 10 headsets in addition to necessary software and hardware. All 10 charter schools will receive virtual reality headsets.

The curriculum is intended to complement standard classroom instruction, not replace it.

High school students will be able to use virtual reality learning materials aligned with state College and Career Ready Science standards, while elementary school students will be able to participate in age-appropriate lessons on local and American history, the grant describes.

Descriptive videos posted on the Lobaki website show how the software can introduce students to a variety of interactive classrooms, such as one set inside a living cell. Students can interact with different parts of the cell in virtual reality, providing a hands-on experience of how a cell works. Students can see how proteins are made from RNA, as well as various other cell functions.

It is also possible to use the “cellevator” to view the exposed cell from above.

Other programs led by Lobaki allow students to learn about human anatomy, explore the solar system, conduct experiments on how light waves work, build bridges, visit Independence Hall 250 years ago and learn about the elements of the periodic table.

— Article by Jeremy Pittari of the Magnolia Tribune —