South Bend Code School Presents AR/VR Lab for Teens
Today we are extremely excited to announce South Bend Code School’s new Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) lab!
The opportunity for students ages 13 to 18 to code for AR/VR will be available for students attending South Bend Code School in our South Bend location this fall. Students will have the ability to develop applications and games on professional grade augmented and virtual reality equipment.
For those who are not as familiar with these technologies, virtual reality (VR) can be summed up as a three-dimensional, interactive, computer generated environment. Augmented reality (AR), which is slightly different than VR, can be defined as an environment composed of the real world with computer “augmented” components. Both AR and VR have seen much research and investment from tech giants including but not limited to Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.
These powerful technologies are anticipated to have great impact on existing industries in the coming years. Fields such as construction, healthcare, and education are already seeing advancements through the use of virtual and augmented reality. Experts are predicting a $108 billion AR/VR market by the year 2021.
Even with such a high level of expected growth (and investment), AR and VR are still in their early stages as accessible technologies. Now is the time to learn, experiment, and grow in this space, and South Bend Code School wants to bring that experience to the tech minded youth of our community.
It is no secret that AR and VR related technologies are moving into classrooms across the country. However, most of these technologies are being used as a method to teach other subjects. Starting this fall, South Bend Code School will use of these types of devices to teach youth in our community how to build technologies for the devices themselves.
It is extremely rare that high schoolers have the opportunity to learn to build with such tools rather than just play with or experience them. Our objective for our AR/VR lab is in line with South Bend Code School’s mission of taking students beyond consuming technology by enabling them to create with technology.
The opportunity for the AR/VR lab was made possible through financial support from the Regional Cities Initiative awarded to the South Bend Elkhart Region. This funding paved the way for a landmark opportunity in our region.
There are two main factors prohibiting more programs from creating curriculum and courses for students around the country. The first is cost. The system requirements to run these types of technologies is still quite expensive when it comes to traditional education budgets. Most schools can only afford to buy one headset or computer that is equipped to handle AR/VR technologies. The second is knowledge. Most programs do not have instructors or teachers who have the knowledge or experience to design courses for augmented or virtual reality.
At South Bend Code School, we have a team of seasoned technology professionals who are equipped to develop these types of programs and courses. With financial support from the Regional Cities of Northern Indiana, we can create a top of the line AR/VR lab for youth in our community that will rival postsecondary institutions and professional organizations.
Note: AR/VR equipment is not to be used by students under the age of 13.
To learn more about South Bend Code School or sign up for classes in any of our locations, please visit southbendcodeschool.com
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