What is IVR?
IVR is an acronym for Immersive Virtual Reality. Immersive VR, MR (Mixed Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) are mediated through head-mounted displays (HMDs) that can create a deep sense of presence - 'a feeling of being there' - intensity and awe of experience through interactivity.

What virtual reality equipment will students be using?
Students currently have access to the following virtual reality headsets:

Oculus Rift
Oculus Go
Oculus/Meta Quest 2

The school may utilise additional virtual reality headset brands and types over time.

For what purposes will virtual reality be used?
Virtual Reality Learning Events will be used to:

Enhance student engagement and understanding of the curriculum
Provide student access to recordings of school excursions and competitions.

Is participation in virtual reality learning events compulsory?
No, participation is voluntary. If a student is unwilling or unable to participate in a Virtual Reality Learning event, an alternate experience of equal educational value will be provided.

When will students be given the opportunity to participate in Virtual Reality Learning Events?
Classroom teachers will implement Virtual Reality Learning events from time to time.

Are there any health risks associated with using virtual reality equipment?
Yes, there are health risks associated with using virtual reality equipment. You must read and understand the information in the product safety sheet (click here), and you should consult with a medical practitioner about the suitability of virtual reality use for your child before completing the form. You must not sign the note if a medical practitioner has indicated that your child should not use VR.

You must provide the school with documentation confirming that a medical practitioner has been consulted and has approved your child's use of VR technology if your child has any pre-existing medical conditions identified in the product safety sheet. These include:

heart conditions
pregnancy conditions that affect the ability to perform physical activities safely
psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders
cardiac pacemaker or implanted medical device
prone to motion sickness
binocular vision abnormalities
a history of epilepsy or seizures, loss of awareness, loss of spatial awareness, disorientation or other symptoms linked to an epileptic condition

What other measures is the school taking to mitigate health risks associated with using virtual reality equipment
Some of the measures taken to mitigate health risks associated with using virtual reality equipment include:

imposing a minimum age limit of 13 years for student VR use
limited sutudent VR use to a maximum of 1 hour in any one day, with mandatory 5-minute breaks after every 10 minutes of use, OR 15 minutes per 3-hour period
requiring that parents/carers whose children have certain pre-existing medical contditions submit documentation from a medical practitioner approving VR use for their child
cleaning VR headsets before and after student use
actively supervising students when using VR headsets and notifying parents/carers of any healt concerns should they arise
requiring that students do not drive, operate heavy machinery or indulge in visually or physically demanding activities for at least half an hour after using VR and until any effecs from using VR have passed
requiring that students do not participate in activities such as walking and sports that requirign unimpared and unobstructed balance and hand/eye coordination for at least half an hour after using VR and until any effects from using VR have passed

What needs to happen before my child can start participating in virtual reality learning events?
You need to:

read the product safety information
consult with a medical practitioner abhout the suitability of virtual reality use for you child and provide medical documentsation to the school if required
Read and sign the Permission to Participate in VR Learning Events form

Your child needs to:

Read and sign the Student User Agreement

Who can I contact if I require further information?
Please contact Mr Sam Cocking, Mathematics Faculty, if you have any questions or require any additoinal information.

IVR Permission to Participate

Callaghan College Wallsend Campus