5 educational institutions on the left bank of the Nistru river will use virtual reality glasses as teaching materials

Four schools and one Art College from the left bank of the Nistru will use virtual reality (VR) glasses during lessons. This is possible with the support of the European Union (EU) through Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP.

“VR glasses really involve pupils in the educational process. When a child, during a geography lesson, is simply asked, for example, to tell something about Paris, he/she will do it, but without much interest. Instead, when he/she takes a virtual tour of the city through the VR glasses, then he/she will rely on his/her impressions,” mentions Alexandr Volskii, manager of the Digital Transformation Association in Tiraspol. The association benefited from a grant from the European Union and UNDP to promote virtual education in schools.

In addition to VR glasses, 18 teachers from the left bank of the Nistru benefited from IT courses, to later guide the students in the correct use of the latest generation equipment.

Thus, more than 500 children have used VR glasses in English, geography, history, or design lessons, and by the end of 2023, the number of students who will test the equipment will reach 2,000.

“I really enjoyed using the VR glasses, it’s incredible. I was impressed by the presentation angle, the graphics, the sound. I was impressed by the simple fact that you jump in a new place, new atmosphere, it’s amazing. In this way you can make a tour to museum, being in your classroom,” says Ecaterina Onofrei, student of the College of Arts in Tighina (Bender).

Both students and teachers are excited about using VR glasses in classes.

“Technology is advancing. If our educational institutions raise graphic designers, then the educational system should keep up with the trends, so that our graduates are competitive not only professionally/educationally, but also personally,” says Olga Pogonenco, teacher at the College of Arts from Tighina (Bender).

The Digital Transformation Association in Tiraspol aims to purchase VR glasses for an entire classroom for one of the partner educational institutions.

The Confidence Building Measures Programme, financed by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, contributes to the strengthening of trust between the inhabitants of both banks of the Nistru river, by involving them in joint development projects.