INOVA+ recently shared the VR4Empathy project’s progress through a virtual poster presentation at ICERI 2025. The session highlighted the new Quality Assurance Framework and the co-design of immersive resources aimed at fostering cognitive empathy and motivation in secondary students across Portugal, Greece, and Slovenia.
The resources developed under the VR4Empathy project were presented at the ICERI 2025 conference with a virtual poster presentation titled “BOOSTING COGNITIVE EMPATHY IN EDUCATION: LAUNCHING THE FIRST VR VIDEOS”. The presentation detailed the project’s methodology for using virtual reality to enhance soft skills and student motivation.
A key focus of the presentation was the project’s participatory co-design phase, which has successfully engaged 127 participants from 29 schools across Portugal, Greece, and Slovenia. These collaborative efforts have resulted in the development of 10 lesson plans and 20 VR scripts. These materials address three central European themes: historical facts, common social values, and citizenship and diversity. Specific topics covered include the impact of climate change, the history of European integration, and digital literacy.
The session also introduced the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF), a strategic document establishing benchmarks to ensure VR resources meet high educational and inclusive standards. The QAF is structured around five critical areas:
- Teaching, learning and assessment
- Students’ learning experience
- Inclusive digital education
- Relevance and quality of the scripts and videos
- Resources and equipment
The expected outcomes of the project include the publication of a booklet featuring 10 lesson plans and the release of 10 immersive VR videos on the project’s YouTube channel. These resources will be made available in English, Portuguese, Greek (Hellenic), and Slovenian. Ultimately, the project aims to establish a sustainable European EdTech Network to support the ongoing use of these digital tools in schools across Europe.
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