Over two weeks, educators from across Portugal came together to discover how Virtual Reality can foster empathy, transform classroom practice and shape the future of immersive education.
From 2 to 15 July 2026, EduQA delivered a nationwide series of seven Thematic & Networking Workshops, engaging 128 participants from 12 organisations across Portugal. Rather than bringing everyone to a single venue, the workshops travelled across the country – from Lisbon and Cascais to Gaia, Alcobaça and Olhão – allowing teachers, school leaders and education professionals to experience Virtual Reality first-hand while discussing how immersive technologies can become part of everyday teaching.
🚀Learning by experiencing
These weren´t traditional events. Participants explored VR by actually using headsets, analysing immersive scenarios, designing classroom activities and reflecting on real educational challenges. Each workshop addressed a different theme – from ethical and transformative learning to cognitive empathy, collaborative knowledge creation and long-term implementation strategies – creating a journey that gradually moved from inspiration to practical application.
🧑🏻💻More than technology: designing learning that matters
Throughout the workshops, one message became clear: effective VR starts with good pedagogy. Educators discussed how immersive technologies can strengthen:
- empathy and perspective-taking;
- collaboration between teachers and students;
- inclusion and active citizenship;
- creativity and learner engagement.
Rather than viewing VR as an isolated innovation, participants explored how it can support meaningful learning experiences aligned with curriculum objectives and classroom realities.
🥽Teachers became learners
One of the highlights of the Portuguese workshops was the practical dimension.
Teachers experimented with VR headsets, analysed immersive educational experiences and designed their own lesson ideas based on the VR4Empathy lesson plans and Quality Assurance Framework. The sessions also encouraged participants to critically reflect on issues such as accessibility, privacy, wellbeing and ethical implementation – essential considerations for bringing immersive technologies into schools responsibly.
🫱🏼🫲🏼A collaborative approach to innovation
Participants particularly appreciated the collaborative philosophy behind VR4Empathy.
Teachers from the partner countries contributed to the development of lesson plans and educational scripts, while Portuguese students were directly involved in creating one of the project’s immersive scenarios and videos. This co-creation approach demonstrated that meaningful educational innovation happens when teachers and learners actively shape the resources they will eventually use.
🌱 Building a sustainable future for immersive education
Beyond classroom practice, the workshops also explored what schools need to make VR sustainable over time. Discussions focused on:
- integrating VR into regular lessons and interdisciplinary projects;
- ensuring safe, inclusive and accessible use of headsets;
- managing equipment and maintenance;
- supporting teachers through continuous professional development;
- creating networks for sharing resources and good practices.
To continue this collaboration beyond the events, participants were invited to join the VR4Empathy Network and its dedicated Microsoft Teams community, strengthening cooperation between schools long after the workshops concluded.
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