How to Use VR During Your School Open House?

Virtual Reality (VR) can bring a “wow” effect to your open day, making it more engaging and memorable. In fact, more and more schools are using VR to entice and engage students, creating a great first impression which can greatly help enrollments. 

This guide will show you how to effectively utilize this innovative technology, showcasing the original strengths of your school and enabling prospective families to remember it for a long time.

What Is an Open House in School?

Open houses provide a venue for schools to welcome prospective students and their families to the campus. These events allow families an opportunity to see how a school runs, visit different facilities, and meet teachers and staff. 

Open houses are commonly held one to two times a year, usually on the weekend with the goal of making a good impression in order to increase enrollment. Simply put: an open house is a school's opportunity to show off its greatest assets and share why parents and students should choose them for their education.

Why VR Is a Valuable Addition to School Open Houses

VR offers a uniquely immersive experience by providing prospective students the opportunity to virtually step into a day in the life of your school. Not only does this level of engagement help impact your prospective students' impressions from afar, but it also offers a transportation mechanism from the same vantage point while showing innovation through participating hands-on subject demos from a single and flexible perspective. 

In the end, this powerful and memorable experience is a primary differentiator that distinguishes your school in a crowded context, making it easier to convey your school's thoughtfulness by leaving an unforgettable open house experience.

Benefits of sing VR at Open Houses

There are a number of unique selling points when it comes to using VR in relation to open houses for schools. Firstly, VR makes it possible for potential students to experience hands-on scenarios that can help them understand what life would be like when enrolled. This has the added benefit of also showcasing innovative teaching methods that can set your school apart from other schools, especially if they’re not yet using such technology. 

Additionally, in a competitive education landscape, anything that makes your school more memorable to visitors is a plus. VR is still novel enough that not every school is using it, so an open house with VR demos will stand out in the minds of prospective families. 

And finally, one big advantage of VR is its flexibility. With one set of VR equipment, you can showcase multiple subjects and activities without needing elaborate physical setups. 

How to Integrate VR into an Open Day

Bringing VR to your open house is easier than you might think. Teachers and administrators can set up VR demo stations that allow for students and parents to try out the experiences. Simply have a staff member or student ambassador stationed there to help visitors put on the headset and explain what they’re seeing. Keeping sanitation in mind, use disposable hygiene covers for headsets and wipe them down between uses. 

With regard to the specific topics, we recommend utilizing VR content that correlates with your school’s strengths or distinctive programs. For instance, if your school is proud of its science curriculum, run a virtual science lab simulation or provide a 3D tour of the human body. If you have a great arts program, you could let students paint in 3D space using a VR art app. The key is to use VR to show, not just tell, what learning at your school is like.

If your school is new to VR, consider using an all-in-one VR Education Kit. For this purpose, the Meta Quest VR Education Kit includes everything you'd need for instance, from the VR headset itself, as well as pre-loaded educational content and lesson plans. If a VR Education Kit purchase isn't currently an option, renting VR headsets is a great option for a one-off event.  

In summary: Make Your Open House Unforgettable with VR

Using VR in a school open house can turn it from a basic tour into an experience. When you expose prospective students to immersive learning, not only do you tell them what your programs are about, but you give them the excitement and innovation of your school. 

If you have an open day coming up, the VR options you ought to think about span everything from education kits that are ready to go and headsets rentals for a short time, to fit every budget and purpose. Our education wiki showcases many VR learning examples to inspire you, and if you need help getting started, feel free to reach out, and we’ll advise on the best VR setup for your school’s big day!