Hi Keith,

This is an area near and dear to my heart because of the opportunities it
represents for immersive instruction, equitable field trip opportunities,
hands-on learning simulations, etc... The catch with it is always deciding
how much you want to invest in it as there are really two class categories
for this sort of tech. The High End category gives a much higher end
experience, avoids some of the negative symptoms that some users experience
with VR (i.e., motion sickness), and generally have access to much, much
more content. Typically, these are better suited in my experience to small
group use in design-instruction or maker-space type settings. On the flip
side, the low-end costs less and has a much lower threshold for entry with
phone apps as the primary medium, offering programs like Google
Expeditions, etc. Typically these are better for more students. If you want
to give your admin a sense of what would likely be affordable for you to
use there rather than the false hope of driving the VR equivalent of a
Lamborghini before driving a Prius, I would hedge my bet towards the latter
category (for now).

1. High End - Oculus Rift or HTC Vive route (High end computer *required*)
2. Low End - Playstation VR (PlayStation 4 *required*) or Google Cardboard
(Smartphone, Router, and *probably* an iPad tablet *required*)

The most affordable route into it would be the Google Cardboard.

The other big thing to draw the line between... Are you leaning more toward
AR or VR (i.e., overlay of digital upon real environment VS. fully digital
environment)? The former is more about computing and design at the moment,
or else for games -- There is not a lot currently in AR tech though I
REALLY want that to change. The latter, VR, has more content at the moment
but tends to suffer from the issue around movement sickness if you do more
than ~15-minutes at a time.

Best,

Ethan Kichura



--------------------
*Technology Coordinator*
Highgate Elementary School
219 Gore Rd.
Highgate Center, VT
(802) 868-4170
[log in to unmask]
--
*Technical Problems?*
Submit a Support Request <https://fnwsu.mojohelpdesk.com/login>!
Or call me (*ext. 204)*
-- 

On Tue, May 8, 2018 at 9:20 AM, Keith Puffer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Good morning.
>
> I work with an Admin who asked about getting into AR-VR (Augmented-Virtual
> Reality).  I was asked what computer platform for personal/professional use
> would be best suited.  Currently the Admin has a slightly older MacBook Air
> and no school issued tablet/cell.
>
> If we were going to set this individual up so that a test into the AR-VR
> world would work best, what would you suggest as being the best devices
> (considering cost, ease of use, availability of AR-VR, projected longevity
> of use, quality...).  This is not for a class set or Student use, but for
> Admin to explore.
>
> We are currently transitioning towards a higher percentage of Chromebook
> deployment if that matters.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Keith
>
> --
> Keith Puffer
> Technology Coordinator
> Harwood Unified Union School District
> 340 Mad River Park, Suite 7
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=340+Mad+River+Park,+Suite+7+Waitsfield,+VT+05673+802&entry=gmail&source=g>
> Waitsfield, VT 05673
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=340+Mad+River+Park,+Suite+7+Waitsfield,+VT+05673+802&entry=gmail&source=g>
> 802
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=340+Mad+River+Park,+Suite+7+Waitsfield,+VT+05673+802&entry=gmail&source=g>
> -583-7959
> Fax: 802-496-6515
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Search <http://list.uvm.edu/archives/school-it.html> the SCHOOL-IT Archive
>
> Manage <http://list.uvm.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=SCHOOL-IT&A=1> your
> Subscription to SCHOOL-IT
>