In Portugal, the VR4Empathy project’s national teacher training reached new heights in 2026, with 75 teachers from 7 schools across the country participating. The training focused on empowering educators with the skills to integrate virtual reality (VR) into classrooms, promoting empathy and inclusion among students.
As part of the project, Portugal hosted a series of national teacher training sessions, bringing together 75 educators from 7 schools across the country. The training sessions, which took place between November 2025 and February 2026, were designed to introduce teachers to VR-based educational tools aimed at fostering empathy, inclusion, and understanding in the classroom. The participating schools included Sever do Vouga, Carregal do Sal, Costa Caparica, Oeiras, Ramada, and Lisbon.
The training consisted of 6 face-to-face sessions with a blend of theory, hands-on experience, and collaborative discussions. Teachers were trained on how to use VR equipment, implement immersive lesson plans, and engage students with complex social issues such as refugees, human rights, and environmental challenges.
The main goal of these sessions was to help teachers feel confident in using VR technology to create impactful learning experiences. Through the training, educators were introduced to the project’s VR lesson plans, learned to navigate the technical aspects of VR, and explored ways to integrate the tools into various subjects. They were also encouraged to collaborate and share best practices for using VR to engage students in meaningful conversations about empathy and inclusion.
Key outcomes of the training include:
- Increased confidence among teachers in using VR technology.
- Collaborative networks formed between educators across subjects.
- A focus on sustainable classroom practices, ensuring that VR resources can be used effectively over the long term.
Looking ahead, the teachers will begin implementing the VR-based lesson plans in classrooms across Portugal, with the feedback gathered during the pilot phase to help refine the resources for broader use. The national teacher training in Portugal marks a significant step in the project’s mission to make empathy a core element of education across Europe.
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