VREP Comes to Pekin
By Bennett, Laurie
December 15, 2011
VREP Comes to Pekin
The Pekin Board of Education recently approved a new and exciting course that will be offered to Pekin High School students beginning second semester of the 2011-2012 school year. Virtual Reality Education Pathfinder is an initiative joint venture between education and industry. This educational opportunity is designed to bring a new kind of learning and teaching to schools across the country
VREP is a self-directed project based curriculum that works by capturing student interest through the use of Virtual Reality and 3D projects. Mr. John Dotson, Superintendent of Pekin CSD, stated, “This course will provide an opportunity for our students to gain valuable 21st Century skills such as setting and accomplishing goals and objects, communicating and collaborating with others, and how to manage their time through the completion of independent projects.”
Ann Pisarik, Pekin’s VREP coordinator, sent an email to all 9-12 students at Pekin High School explaining the VREP program and possibilities. From that response, Mrs. Pisarik took 11 students to a 2-day introduction workshop at the Ottumwa AEA on November 14 & 15, 2011. The course will be designed as an Independent Study class. During the semester, students enrolled in this opportunity will create 2 projects every 9 weeks using the Cryogen desktop computer, 3D capable projector, goggles and additional VR equipment. Tucker Flinn, a junior at Pekin said, “From what I experienced during the VREP training, this opportunity will help high school students become more independent by working on real life interactive and creative but yet functional projects.” The students who participated in the training showcased their projects to the other class members and the Pekin Administration.
