VR 4 Learning

📅 On October 26, 2024
📍 Social Innovators Bulgaria Space

🎉 The National Management School hosted an interactive VR Training Workshop! Participants experienced hands-on demonstrations with VR glasses, diving into scenarios developed within the project and discovering how virtual reality can enhance education. 🎓💻

👥 Who attended?

School & university students
Educators and trainers
Project partners from Portugal, Sweden, and Romania
✨ A diverse group of 18 curious minds explored VR’s potential to transform learning! Thanks to everyone who joined us on this exciting journey into the future of education! 🌍👓

The VR4LEARNING Project’s final thematic event made a compelling impact at the EdTech Innovators Forum in Sofia, held on October 24-25. Originally designed for a smaller gathering, the event attracted an impressive 64 participants, surpassing expectations and highlighting the broad interest in the potential of VR and AR to transform education. Attendees included representatives from partner organizations, national policymakers, industry partners, NGOs, students, and leaders of student organizations. This final event marked not only the culmination of VR4LEARNING’s journey but also laid a strong foundation for its future expansion and sustainability within educational technology.

Opening remarks from Deputy Minister of Education and Science Natalia Miteva and Sofia Tech Park’s Executive Director set an inspiring tone, emphasizing the significance of educational innovation for shaping tomorrow’s classrooms. Albena Spasova from EdTech Bulgaria delivered an energizing keynote that underscored the importance of continued progress in educational technology, framing VR4LEARNING as a pioneering initiative with transformative potential in how we teach and learn.

Following this introduction, a panel discussion featuring distinguished voices such as Natalia Miteva, Eng. Ognyan Atanasov (Mayor of Kyustendil), Elitsa Efremova (Head of Innovation at Sofia Tech Park), Vladimir Kolev (Manager of Klett Bulgaria), Ivan Gospodinov (Chairman of Education Without Borders), and Diana Cholakova (Co-Founder and CEO of Stemy Kids) tackled the opportunities and challenges in leveraging emerging technologies for education. The discussions brought forward VR4LEARNING’s core themes and seven key insights that will guide the future of educational technology:

🌐 Exploring the latest trends in VR, AR, and AI, the discussions illustrated how these technologies create immersive learning experiences that captivate students and deepen their understanding.

📘 Using VR to create tailored learning experiences that accommodate diverse groups, such as seniors and underserved communities, with a focus on adapting content to individual needs, interests, and career goals.

🤖 Recognizing the role of automation in the workforce, the panel discussed preparing students for an automated world, with VR environments supporting the development of skills like leadership and emotional intelligence.

💻 The event highlighted the importance of encouraging more women in tech and STEM, with VR-based programs offering new ways to empower women with tech-focused skills and career support.

🌍 Incorporating VR into educational programs allowed students to understand CSR practices and ethical decision-making, especially in fields like hospitality and small business, fostering responsible leaders for tomorrow.

💆 As VR integrates more fully into digital learning, ensuring student mental health is critical. The event emphasized well-being and stress relief in immersive environments, showcasing how VR can support mental resilience.

🎓 As VR gains traction, data literacy and cloud-based solutions were emphasized as essential skills. VR4LEARNING encouraged students and educators to work with VR and data-driven tools to enhance problem-solving and career readiness.

Facilitators Dr. Luis Guerrero from the University of Évora, Portugal, and Prof. Dr. Mihaela Tinca Udristioiu from the University of Craiova, Romania, led the participants through an interactive exploration of the latest VR trends and best practices. They showcased VR4LEARNING’s project phases and achievements, detailing how VR and AR are being used to create meaningful learning experiences that transcend traditional methods. Their presentation highlighted real-world applications and sparked significant interest in replicating VR4LEARNING’s models across various educational contexts. Attendees saw first-hand how VR environments could be customized to suit different educational needs, enhancing engagement and comprehension.

Dr. Guerrero and Prof. Dr. Udristioiu also demonstrated how educators and practitioners could incorporate VR into their own work, connecting VR4LEARNING’s findings with practical insights. This hands-on approach empowered participants to envision VR’s role in their programs, sparking discussions on how immersive technology could address specific challenges in diverse settings.

The success of VR4LEARNING’s final event underscores the project’s readiness to inspire long-term impact. The enthusiastic response and actionable ideas generated by this event have paved the way for the continued integration of VR into educational technology. With a clear roadmap and deep interest from stakeholders, VR4LEARNING is poised to lead the way in innovative, technology-driven educational strategies, transforming how we learn and teach for generations to come. This event not only celebrated VR4LEARNING’s achievements but also set the stage for a future of continuous innovation and impactful learning experiences.

🎉 Exciting News from the VR4LEARNING Project! 🎉

We’re thrilled to showcase the latest VR deliverables from the VR4LEARNING Project, which will be presented at the EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 in Sofia. These resources are designed to enhance education and youth work through the innovative use of virtual reality.

📹 Video Testimonials
Hear directly from participants who have experienced the transformative power of VR in education. Their testimonials provide valuable insights into how immersive learning can elevate student engagement and outcomes.

🌍 E-Learning Videos on Sustainability
Check out our collection of 14 e-learning videos focused on sustainability topics. Available with subtitles in 30 languages, these videos make sustainability education accessible to learners across the globe.

📚 Open Access Digital Library
Explore our extensive digital library of open-source VR scenarios and educational resources. This platform will provide educators and youth workers with easy-to-use tools to incorporate virtual reality into their teaching and learning practices.

We’re excited to share these resources with you at the EdTech Innovators Forum on October 24–25 at Sofia Tech Park. Be sure to join us and see how VR is shaping the future of education

Exciting News! Mihaela Tinca Udristioiu Joins the VR Workshop at EdTech Innovators Forum 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Dr. Mihaela Tinca Udristioiu from the University of Craiova, Romania, will be co-leading the 'Transforming Education with VR' workshop at the EdTech Innovators Forum 2024, held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 24–25.

Mihaela brings her wealth of experience in using virtual reality (VR) to enhance learning, and we are eager to see how her insights will shape the future of education through innovative technology. This workshop, facilitated by her and Dr. Luis Guerrero of the University of Évora, Portugal, will provide an exciting opportunity for participants to explore the latest trends and best practices in VR, AR, and AI integration in education.

🎉 EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 🎉
🗓️ October 24-25, 2024
📍 Sofia Tech Park, LABS Complex

The EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 is inspired by the discoveries and results of two Erasmus+ projects co-funded by the EU:

AIM – https://www.inclusivementoring.eu
VR4LEARNING – https://www.vr4learning.eu

This event marks the final milestone for these projects, and it is a unique opportunity to learn about their significant contributions to education and technology. Through presentations, discussions, and workshops, participants will gain insight into the latest trends and innovations in EdTech.

✨ Key Highlights:

🕒 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM, October 24
Opening Addresses: Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov, Minister of Education and Science and Todor Mladenov, CEO of Sofia Tech Park

Keynote Speech: Albena Spasova (EdTech Bulgaria) on the future of EdTech innovators in Bulgaria.

🗣️ Panel Discussion: The Future of EdTech Innovators in Bulgaria
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Panel Participants:
- Natalia Miteva, Deputy Minister of Education and Science
- Eng. Ognyan Atanasov, Mayor of Kyustendil
- Elitsa Efremova, Head of Innovation, Sofia Tech Park
- Vladimir Kolev, Managing Director of Klett Bulgaria and Founder of EdTech Bulgaria
- Ivan Gospodinov, Chairman of "Education Without Borders" and representative of Khan Academy in Bulgaria
- Diana Cholakova, Co-founder and Executive Director of Stemy Kids

Moderator: Dr. Lachezar Afrikanov

👥 Workshops: Sharing Final Project Results

Workshop 1: Transforming Education with VR

Learn the latest trends and best practices in using VR, AR, and AI in education, showcasing the outcomes from VR4LEARNING.
Facilitators: Dr. Luis Guerrero, University of Évora (Portugal), and Prof. Dr. Mihaela Tinka Udristoiu, University of Craiova (Romania)
🕒 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM, October 24

Workshop 2: Promoting Growth Through Inclusive Mentoring

Practical advice on mentoring and supporting young talents through an inclusive entrepreneurship model, highlighting the final results of the AIM – Inclusive Mentoring project.
Facilitators: João Gomes, Researcher, University of Gävle (Sweden), and Giuseppe Virga, MG Sustainable Engineering AB (Sweden)
🕒 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM, October 24

Free registration: Register now to secure your spot! Seats are limited.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTbZuBpbbAfuBa_y2hHe6lkP7Cr-CkFpetBzJQ-grNRCp1mw/viewform

Supported by the European Union through the AIM and VR4LEARNING projects.

EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 The forum is inspired by findings and results of two Erasmus+ co-funded projects: AIM – https://www.inclusivementoring.eu, and VR4LEARNING – https://www.vr4learning.eu and it is free of charge to attend. Location: Sofia Tech Park, LABS Working languages: Bulgarian and English Participation is fr...

Albena Spasova on the Future of EdTech Innovators in Bulgaria
📅 Date: 24.10.2024 | 📍 Location: Sofia Tech Park

🌟 What’s next for EdTech in Bulgaria? Join us at the EdTech Innovators Forum 2024, where Mrs. Albena Spasova, Executive Director of EdTech Bulgaria, will share her vision on the future of educational technology innovators in Bulgaria. As the leader of EdTech Bulgaria, an open ecosystem connecting institutions, academics, entrepreneurs, and experts, Mrs. Spasova is at the forefront of transforming education through technology.

In her address, Mrs. Spasova will discuss how EdTech Bulgaria fosters collaboration across sectors, promotes research, and develops innovation centers that generate new tools and solutions tailored to the individual needs of students. Her insights will illuminate how Bulgaria can continue advancing the integration of tech in education, ensuring that every child has access to comprehensive, high-quality learning experiences.

💻 Don’t miss out on this exciting session about the future of EdTech innovation in Bulgaria!

🔗 Register now and secure your place at the forum.

https://forms.gle/4Yi322BmwxdMhr9E9

💻

EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 Connecting Innovators in Education and Technology EdTech innovators are not just in tech companies – they are all around us: in schools, universities, municipalities, and ministries. The EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 aims to connect, encourage, and inspire these innovators towards collaboration and...

Transforming Education with Virtual Reality – VR4LEARNING Workshop
📅 Date: 24.10.2024 | 📍 Location: Sofia Tech Park

🕶️ Immerse yourself in the future of learning! Join the exclusive VR4LEARNING Workshop at the EdTech Innovators Forum 2024. Led by Dr. Luis Guerrero and Prof. Dr. Mihaela Tinca Udristoiu, this hands-on workshop will show how Virtual Reality (VR) is reshaping classrooms. Discover how VR, AR, and AI can enhance educational experiences and engage students like never before!
⚡ Limited spaces—register now!

🔗 Sign up here
https://forms.gle/4Yi322BmwxdMhr9E9
💻

EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 Connecting Innovators in Education and Technology EdTech innovators are not just in tech companies – they are all around us: in schools, universities, municipalities, and ministries. The EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 aims to connect, encourage, and inspire these innovators towards collaboration and...

A Forum Like No Other – The Philosophy of the EdTech Innovators Forum 2024
📅 Date: 24.10.2024 | 📍 Location: Sofia Tech Park

💡 Innovation is everywhere! The EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 is designed around the philosophy that EdTech innovation doesn’t just come from tech companies. Innovators are in schools, universities, municipalities, and beyond! This year’s forum will connect education and technology professionals in building a long-term coalition that bridges the gap between current and future generations.
Be part of this transformative movement— secure your spot now!

🔗 Free registration here

https://forms.gle/4Yi322BmwxdMhr9E9

💻

EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 Connecting Innovators in Education and Technology EdTech innovators are not just in tech companies – they are all around us: in schools, universities, municipalities, and ministries. The EdTech Innovators Forum 2024 aims to connect, encourage, and inspire these innovators towards collaboration and...

A Human-Centered Approach to EdTech – Georgi Bardarov to Deliver Keynote Speech
📅 Date: 24.10.2024 | 📍 Location: Sofia Tech Park

🎤 Exciting news! Famous Bulgarian writer and scientist Georgi Bardarov will deliver a powerful keynote at the EdTech Innovators Forum 2024. His session will explore how we can keep the human perspective at the center of education technology in the age of VR, AI, and other innovations.
Join us for this inspiring conversation that ensures technology enhances, not replaces, the human touch in education.
🔗 Register now and don’t miss out!

https://forms.gle/4Yi322BmwxdMhr9E9

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Almost 1 month before our final international event. There are still some places left for EdTech enthusiasts :)

✨️Excited to share our project's latest publication!✨️

📌 The Behavioral Intention to Use Virtual Reality in Schools: A Technology Acceptance Model is the latest study published by Silvia Puiu and Mihaela Tinca UDRISTIOIU in Behavioral Sciences MDPI, a journal indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed.
The paper presents the impact of using hashtag in hashtag and focuses on the main factors that affect the behavioral intention of using this new technology for the benefit of both professors and students.

📌 The results show that the intention to use VR technology in education is influenced by both usage satisfaction and the task–technology fit. The system quality of the VR technology proved to be important in influencing both the task–technology fit and perceived usefulness. The findings are useful for professors considering the adoption of new technologies that might improve the efficiency of learning for their students. Additionally, managers of educational institutions can use these insights to direct investments toward this type of innovation, which appeals to newer generations.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/7/615