Creating an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) lesson is a fantastic way to engage students. However, the thought of creating VR learning can be daunting, especially if you are not a graphic designer or a developer.  The cost of sharing that learning can also be prohibitive, especially if limited to headset-owning learners. 

And yet, creating immersive VR learning experiences doesn’t have to break the bank. In this blog, we’ll show you how, with Near-Life and a little imagination, you can create VR learning quickly, easily and affordably. You can start with the learning design tools that you already use. Even better, with Near-Life you can share that VR experience anywhere, including with learners that don’t have the latest VR headsets. 

Same process. Different media.

Creating VR learning is really no different to developing other learning. You still need to:

1. Define learning objectives
2. Create a storyboard and prototype
3. Design the media
4. Implement user interactivity
5. Test with users
6. Deploy and distribute
7. Gather feedback and iterate

The only real difference is that you’ll need a VR development tool and some VR assets. For obvious reasons, the VR development tool we’ll be using is Near-Life. And to create the VR assets, we’ve opted to use Skybox AI (other VR generation tools are available). Using Skybox AI means we won’t have to film any VR media as we can generate it within their tool. You will need a paid subscription to download anything you generate if you don’t want a watermark. But using a VR image generator will be much cheaper than buying 360 video kit and editing software to create your own media. If you already have the kit, definitely use it!

Define the learning objectives

We wanted to create an interactive VR learning experience for “An Inspector Calls,” the 1945 play written by J B Priestley. The main learning objectives are to help students engage with the characters and themes on a deeper level to help them retain the information.

Create a storyboard and prototype

The entire play takes place in one location – the Birling family’s dining room. This is fortunate for us because it means we only need to create one location. We can design this space in VR to mimic the Edwardian period, complete with period-appropriate furniture and décor. This immersive setting will immediately transport students into the world of the play. We used Skybox AI to create a 3D image of the dining room. 

As the objectives are to engage with characters and themes, learners are able to choose from three options: synopsis | characters | quiz.

The synopsis is a 2D video that summarises the play. Students will interact with the main characters and learn more about them. And, finally, there’s a quiz based on a section of dialogue for students to complete.

Near-Life allows you to quickly storyboard and test your scenario before you add any media so we quickly storyboarded the idea and tested how the learning experience would flow.

Design the media

As we are not subject matter experts, we relied heavily on ChatGPT to provide character and script prompts that we then used in Skybox AI, Near-Life, and Synthesia to create the different media elements needed.

As mentioned earlier, we used Skybox AI to generate the VR dining room. We decided to really elevate the asset and make the scenario even more immersive, by turning the image into a video and adding sound effects. The sound effects are from Canva and we used Adobe Premiere Pro to make the video. You’ll experience this in the menu section of the scenario. We show you the experience with just the image asset once you choose one of the menu options. 

We created an image of each character using the Near-Life AI image generator. And we used Synthesia to create the synopsis video and to voice each character. 

There are other image generating tools that you could use. For example, Canva’s AI apps allow you to create scripted videos similar to Synthesia.  All of the tools we used are products that we already have subscriptions for.

Implement user interactivity

With Near-Life, you have a number of interactive options that you can implement with zero-coding involved. In this example, we made use of the text, video, image and audio overlays, plus icons to give students a rich experience. This also means that the only VR asset we really needed to create was the dining room which forms the backdrop, or setting, of our learning experience. 

Test with users, deploy, gather feedback and iterate

For this example, we haven’t done steps five (test with users) or seven (gather feedback and iterate). Of course, we carried out internal tests to make sure the experience worked before we shared it with you. 

Sharing your VR scenario

In terms of deployment, Near-Life gives you several options. You can share a link with learners, embed the learning on your website (as we have) or add to your LMS via SCORM or LTI. 

VR scenarios are notoriously media heavy so often will not be appropriate for SCORM integration. However, by creating a VR experience using mainly 2D assets, you can keep the total media file size down. If downloading a SCORM file is not possible, linking the learning to your LMS via LTI will overcome that obstacle.

Learners using desktops will be able to launch the experience and interact with it using their mouse. Android phone users will have the option to insert their devices into a headset and use “gaze” (head movement) to activate the interactive elements. There are some limitations for iPhone users (more info on that here). Learners with VR headsets will be able to use gaze or hand controllers. 

Try it here

You can try the VR experience here. Note, this is just a quick demo to show you what’s possible when you’re working on a limited budget. The scenario could dive even deeper into the learning material to give an even fuller experience.

How long did it take?

It took about two days to complete all the steps.  The hardest part was coming up with the concept. But, once the plan was complete, creating the assets was straightforward and populating the storyboard in Near-Life took no time at all.

Where can I use VR to enhance the learning process?

Virtual Reality is particularly effective for topics that benefit from immersive, hands-on, or spatial learning experiences. These topics may require more VR media assets but using our guide above as a starting point can make VR learning development less daunting. Here are some subjects and ideas where VR can enhance the learning process:

1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

• allow students to explore organs, systems, and functions in an interactive way.
• visualising complex physics concepts like gravity, electricity, or quantum mechanics becomes easier with 3D simulations.
• conduct virtual experiments with dangerous or rare chemicals without any risk, exploring molecular structures in 3D.
• “travel” through space to explore planets, stars, and galaxies, gaining a better understanding of scale and movement in the universe.

2. History & Social Studies

• bring ancient civilisations or historical events to life, allowing students to “visit” different time periods or places .
• experience different cultures, locations, or historical landmarks, increasing empathy and global awareness.
• create virtual digs or simulations of how ancient structures were built, offering hands-on learning experiences.

3. Art & Design

• walk through buildings to explore spatial relationships and structural integrity.
• visualise and interact with art and artists.

4. Medical Training

• allow medical students and professionals to practise surgeries or other medical procedures in a controlled, risk-free environment.
• simulations of real-world crises, like mass casualty incidents or natural disasters, to enhance preparedness.
• help patients confront anxiety in a safe environment.

5. Technical and Vocational Training

• assemble machines, repair engines, or simulate how different engineering systems work.
• simulators for pilots and drivers are enhanced through VR, offering highly immersive, realistic training environments.
• visualise building techniques and practice hands-on skills like bricklaying, plumbing, or electrical wiring.

6. Language Learning

• immersive experiences in virtual environments that mimic real-life scenarios, like ordering food in a restaurant or navigating a foreign city.
• experience the culture tied to the language (visiting landmarks, interacting with locals in virtual settings) enhances language retention and cultural fluency.

7. Soft Skills & Corporate Training

• simulate decision-making scenarios, conflict resolution, or team-building exercises in the workplace.
• Simulations of speaking in front of large audiences or business meetings help users build confidence and refine their presentation skills.
• step into the shoes of others to better understand experiences related to race, gender, or disabilities.

8. Environmental Science & Sustainability

• create virtual tours of endangered habitats, ecosystems, or climate change scenarios, helping students understand environmental impact in a visual way.
• design eco-friendly cities or energy systems, simulating their impact on the environment.

9. Sports & Physical Training

• simulate real-world scenarios for athletes, allowing them to practise techniques or strategies in a virtual environment 
• make exercise more engaging, offering immersive workouts in fun locations or challenges.

10. Special Education

• highly personalised lessons, adapting to a learner’s pace and needs (e.g., students with ADHD or autism).
• students with social anxieties or learning disabilities can practise interactions in a controlled virtual space, where they feel safe.

These are just a number of ways that you can use VR to help your learners and our “An Inspector Calls” experience is an example of how you can create that learning affordably.

VR – a powerful tool to enhance education

As the demand for innovative learning solutions grows, interactive VR scenarios stand out as a powerful tool to enhance education. With Near-Life, and tools you already use, you can implement these solutions cost-effectively, ensuring that all students benefit from immersive learning experiences. By embracing VR, educators can prepare students for the challenges of the future, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

Get started with VR

Interested in exploring how interactive VR can transform your educational approach? Contact us to learn more about integrating VR into your curriculum or start your FREE TRIAL today!