VR4Empathy project - Using virtual reality for inclusive and action-oriented empathy in schools
The aim of the project is to design, test and scale up innovative solutions, supported by a quality assurance framework, to promote the informed adoption of virtual reality (VR) for the development of cognitive empathy in schools, thereby enhancing quality and inclusive digital education at EU level.
Based on state-of-the-art research on the link between VR, psychology and education, the project proposes a forward-looking approach at EU level that will provide the skills and resources to use VR as an educational support for teaching selected topics (history, geography, science, citizenship) related to European historical facts, European societal shared values and European citizenship and diversity. These topics play an important role in developing cognitive empathy and improving the effectiveness of the learning experience.
The project will, among other things, develop, test and validate a quality assurance framework for the development and use of VR in education. This framework will support the design of VR-based educational resources embedded in curricula with activities for individual and group reflection of students and a teacher training programme to be piloted in secondary schools in Portugal, Slovenia and Greece. Teachers and pupils will be involved in the research.
The project will result in recommendations for creating the conditions to achieve systemic impact in formal education systems, ensuring quality for the development and use of VR-based resources.