Learning of Tomorrow [Event Report] “Virtual School Trip Combining VR and Real-Life Experiences” At last week’s Learning of Tomorrow Online Lunch Symposium, we heard from JTB about “virtual school trips that combine VR with real-world experiences.”
The first installment of our virtual field trip series—launched with the aim of providing children whose school trips were canceled due to COVID-19 with opportunities to create memories and learn—is “A Trip to Kyoto and Nara.”
The VR-powered on-site visit experience offers special activities that aren’t possible in real life—such as “jumping off the stage at Kiyomizu Temple”—while also creating an immersive experience by connecting participants with inn proprietors and tour guides. Furthermore, by sending materials in advance and connecting participants with artisans online, we provide traditional cultural workshops right in the classroom.At the end, we’ll take a group photo of the class with Kyoto and Nara in the background—perfect for your graduation album.
The best part of a school trip isn’t necessarily pillow fights—though those might happen—but definitely the evenings. I wondered if they wanted to recreate part of the school trip virtually, or the entire thing, or perhaps create an entirely different kind of school trip. When I asked them this, they replied, “We want to recreate the entire school trip virtually.”However, as of now, they’re only 50% there. They plan to continue adding new features going forward.
You are absolutely right when you point out that VR allows us to create experiences that would be impossible in reality, or to develop itineraries that transcend geographical constraints—such as a tour of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Hawaii centered on the theme of “peace.”
The educational materials developed for this project are not only useful for preparatory learning ahead of school trips, but they also help host facilities secure revenue during periods when visitors are asked to refrain from visiting, and foster a desire to visit by expanding their fan base through VR experiences.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this new challenge unfolds in the future.
Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
Director, B Lab
Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
Chairperson, CANVAS
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”
