VR in Schools

Showcasing Your School in These Changing Times

It’s fair to say that the way we think about schools (and schooling) has changed almost beyond recognition since the start of 2020.

The idea that we would find ourselves with an entire nation of children attempting to be home-schooled, and a large number of school-age students not even anticipating a return to the classroom until next year, would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.

As with all areas of life post-lockdown, technology has a key role to play in helping us adapt to this crisis. Schools are embracing technology for teaching this year’s classes on a scale we’ve never witnessed before, but looking further ahead to the new academic year - and keeping the rolling process of admissions moving despite restrictions - technology can be used advantageously again.

While scientists and experts argue over the finer points of immunity, risk and safety, it’s a given that we’ll be dealing with the effects of Covid-19 on our education system for a long time. And while the focus is presently on how to continue teaching current classes, schools also face the challenge of looking to the future– how classes might look different in the next few years; how parents’ view of educational priorities may have changed as a result of the crisis and, imperatively, how to keep the ongoing admissions process moving when nobody can look around the school.

Virtual tours of Higher Education campuses have proven successful over the last few years, and that same technique is now becoming invaluable for all schools needing to attract new students. Without the ability to show prospective students round in person, a video showcasing the best the school has to offer and allowing prospective students to take a ‘tour’ around the school is undoubtedly the next best thing.

The past few months have increased students’ trust and engagement with schools through technology to the point that ‘viewing’ a school remotely will no longer seem like an unusual thing to do. Students have come to accept that teachers communicate with them through their screens and looking around a prospective new school – or a new classroom or area of their current school - through a video tour will enable them to make an emotional connection with what they are seeing.

As the school landscape continues to be shaped by the pandemic, and traditional ideas of what to look for in a prospective education environment are eroded and re-formed, schools need to think carefully about how best to demonstrate what they offer.

As outdoor learning areas, spacious campuses and an attitude of embracing technology move to the top of many parent’s priority lists, schools are coming to realise that immersive video content can illustrate those points effectively.

Virtual tours are able to offer a more in-depth, interactive, emotional and immersive experience than traditional marketing alone. They offer parents and students the opportunity to ‘experience’ a school – to ‘wander’ down the hallways, ‘step inside’ classrooms and lecture halls and ‘stroll’ in the grounds. It offers schools the opportunity to showcase the very best of their campus, grounds and surrounding areas, potentially incorporating quotes from parents and current students and even using existing photography.

Aerial video lets viewers see the school within its geographical context, highlighting transport links, proximity to cultural opportunities and access for visiting relatives – particularly useful for overseas students.

Footage showing the size and placement of a school, the grounds, the extra-curricular activities on offer, the sports fields, the outside learning areas and the overall environment of the location can sway prospective learner’s decisions in a matter of seconds.

Having completed several school showcase films in the last few weeks alone, I speak from experience when I say this is the ideal time to capture the campus at its finest. Grounds are currently vibrant and lush, outdoor sports areas look inviting and classrooms are bright and airy. Even with empty spaces, or reduced numbers of students, schools can still be shown at their best and give prospective learners an in-depth experience of what the school both looks and feels like.

The ability to let people view your location and experience a little bit of the magic of your school from their own home is invaluable.

And the message that your school is technologically forward-thinking and embraces the use of technology in all areas of a child’s educational journey is essential in the current climate.

Video will never replace the personal experience of viewing a school in real-life, but right now it’s the closest thing. With a skilled production company, who can guide you through the process it is possible to be reaching your audiences within a matter of days– optimised for your website and your social media.

While it may still be some time before you can shake hands and fully welcome prospective students to view your school, using video and virtual tours is a new opportunity to demonstrate that your school has the capability to face this crisis in a positive way; the facilities to continue providing a first class education; and the right attitude to plan for a child’s educational future despite limitations

In other words, it’s exactly what your prospective parents want to see.

About the Author:

Ben Cottman is the Founder and Director of Aerial Film and Photo (www.aerialfilmandphoto.com), a full media production company specialising in virtual tours and aerial filming. His experience in producing high quality, interactive virtual tours ranges from cultural venues to independent schools. His skills and extensive experience help schools showcase their highlights such as expansive grounds, appealing locations and attractive interiors, optimised for their web, mobile and social media feeds.

You can contact Ben on 01628 306652.