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The VRTY team worked with FarmVR, a VR studio in South Australia to create an immersive VR/360° Egg Farm experience for you to learn and understand the whole process of where eggs come from. The FarmVR team filmed in 360 in Wyndham Cache and created the VR project in the VRTY platform.
We start the VR project at the front entrance, where you have the choice to visit different parts of the farm. All you have to do is click on a marker of choice to transport around. You can visit the hens and feed system, the process of sorting, grading, packing, loading, delivery process and how it delivers to the kitchen and on the table.
FarmVR did a great job in showcasing the end-to-end process of where do eggs come from. They also added all kinds of content markers with text, image, audio or video information of the chicken eggs process. Simply click on the marker icon to trigger for more information.
It is simple to view the Egg Farm VR project on Google Chrome or Safari browser on any device such as mobile, tablet or desktop with a strong internet connection. Check out our viewing guide for the step-by-step to learn how to view the project on your device. If you would like to create your own VR project, you can sign up for a trial account for free or contact us to see how we can suit your needs.
When many educators and businesses start considering the use of VR and interactive 360º projects for learning, they invariably will start asking about the different equipment they will need to create VR projects when using the VRTY platform. In this article, we will cover what we think in VRTY are the key pieces of equipment to consider purchasing.
When using the VRTY creation platform, we use 360º photos and videos as our scenes and interactive content which can come in the form of photos/images, videos, gifs, text, sound, voiceovers, or links to YouTube. So it shouldn’t be a surprise when we say that creating a VR project or interactive 360º project in VRTY is very similar to a photoshoot or film shoot. The process to create a VR project has the same stages such as pre-production, production and post-production.
The end to end process in creating VR projects is a very similar process as making a video. Storyboarding is very important to provide the direction to build the VR projects you want, like any pre-production process.
The VRTY team received many questions about recommended 360° camera to start. After lots of research and trying out different types of cameras, the team has found and suggested the recommended 360° camera to pick up and learn. It is the Insta360 One X2. The camera is perfect for teachers and students to start to use, compact and light to carry around. The software is easy to use and captures 360° images and 360° videos of up to 4K quality. Many schools we work with have purchased a few so they can share them between students and classes.
Any type of mobile headset works well with a mobile-viewing VR platform. Find a headset that works well with your phone size then you are good to go.
It can be fairly challenging to start filming to create VR projects. However, just think as if you are filming a video. It consists of the same process, just with a slightly different camera.
Check out this checklist below you will need to film your VR projects:
Now you’ve managed to get the 360° photos and videos. Next is to compile all the marker contents with audio, image, video and GIF. Let’s get into creating your own VR project with the VRTY platform. Before creating a VR project, you can go through an optional step to beautify your images in Adobe Photoshop or Canva. Export the 360° images and/or videos into formats that VRTY can support, such as JPEG or mp4 file format. Then, start uploading all your media assets into the VRTY platform and build your VR project.
To create your own VR project, you will need:
There are a few ways to view a VRTY project. One of VRTY’s best features is that you can easily view the VRTY project on your mobile phone. Once you publish your VR project, you can copy and paste the URL link or scan the QR code to view the recently published VR project on your mobile phone. Simple as that. View them in 360° view if you prefer to go through the VR experience on the computer or laptop.
To view your VRTY projects, you’ll need:
Some optional equipment is that you may want to purchase a case that holds the VR headset cases. We also have a VRTY streamer box, which acts as a local server so students can view their projects within the school wifi and not have to access the internet.
We have helped many schools procure their items to create a classroom VR set to help you get started to create VR projects. If you are looking for help on where to get equipment that fits your budget, contact us so we can help you.
VRTY had the opportunity to work with Tim from Think Digital and Farm VR to provide the VRTY platform for the Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group (TAPG) Camp “Immersive Technology” Workshop to students from different schools in April 2021.
The students learnt how to use a 360° camera and captured multiple 360-degree with Tim. Then, the students exported their 360-degree images and uploaded them onto VRTY.
In VRTY, the platform has all kinds of features which allow students the flexibility to create and add all types of marker (hotspot) content such as images, videos, GIFs and audios. Placing them onto 360° scenes to make them interactive and engaging.
Using virtual reality (VR) in education has a lot of potential for students. Firstly, it can facilitate constructivist learning and Higher Order Thinking skills as a tool for creativity. Students who engage with a VR project in a headset will gain new perspectives and develop empathy towards others. Another reason to integrate VR into a lesson plan is that it can help with increasing student engagement. Students will be more likely to pay attention and get excited about a class. VR also provides authentic experiences to impact student identity. These are just some of the benefits to use VR in classrooms.
Let us know in the comment section below what other benefits VR can help your students too.
Through the TAPG Immersive Technology Workshop, students get to learn the basics of utilising 360° images and videos and turning them into useful resources and fun class activities to encourage learning. VRTY is a no-coding cloud-based platform. It runs on the browser so you can access it anytime and everywhere. The team have compiled a list of the students work from the “Immersive Technology” Workshop.
Do you know that you can save your Google Tour Creators’ projects, as Google Tour Creator is shutting down by the end of June 2021? We have a step-by-step article for you on how to export and import your Google Tour Creators’ project into VRTY.
As you may know that by next month in June 2021, Google Tour Creator and many of the poly creator tools are shutting down. I’m sure that users who still want to use Virtual Reality (VR) and 360° imagery platforms are in the search for Google Tour Creator alternatives. The VRTY platform is the ideal Google Tour Creator alternative as it provides all the functionality and more as compared to Google Tour Creator. You can also export your Google Tour Creator projects and upload them into VRTY. This way you won’t lose any of the projects that you had created!
VRTY is an easy-to-use cloud platform that allows you, the creator to build and share your own virtual reality and interactive VR 360° projects. The platform is beyond just a Google Tour Creator alternative. You can do so much more! In VRTY, you can upload images, videos, 360° images and videos, animated GIFs, audio for a high-level interaction. VRTY also has an additional feature that is useful for the classroom which is called the COLAB. Additionally, we provide a step-by-step guide with videos, resources, and inspiring projects to help you deliver the cutting-edge program in the market as quickly and easily as possible.
For the step by step guide on how to export and import your Google Tour Creator VR 360-degree projects into VRTY.
If the above video does not load or play, click here for the video.
Great news!! You can now import projects from Google Tour Creator to the VRTY platform. Check out here for more information.
The virtual reality (VR) and 360º technology worlds were rocked recently when Google announced they were ending support for its Google Expeditions and Google Tour Creator. Support is ending for its VR app, Expeditions, on 30 June 2021 and a year later, on 30 June 2022, for its 360º technology app, Tour Creator.
Educators at schools and universities have been using Google Expeditions and Tour Creator to create 21st-century learning experiences. Given the immersive experience and additional learning benefits these tools can provide, many educators will need to look for an alternative option if they want to continue using VR and 360º technologies in their classrooms.
VRTY is a proven online VR creation tool that helps teachers and students create, experience, and share their own curriculum-aligned VR and interactive 360° projects. This creation tool can meet the needs of Google Expeditions and Google Tour Creator education users, as well as help educators, create interactive and immersive experiences that support different pedagogical approaches and advance learning outcomes and experiences.
VRTY tools can be easily shared at scale. They are suitable for digital technology educators, ICT educators, ICT integrators, STEAM/STEM educators, principals, assistant principals, teachers, and TAS teachers. Learning areas where VRTY can help include:
VRTY (pronounced ‘ver-tee’) is a virtual reality and 360° technology start-up based in Sydney, Australia.
Our mission is to improve education approaches by using state-of-the-art technologies. We help educators from primary schools to universities around the globe. We provide them with tools to create curriculum-aligned VR and 360° projects.
The VRTY team is guided by an advisory board of experienced educators with backgrounds in curriculum development, learning management, digital literacy, future of learning, primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and professional corporate learning.
VRTY provides an enormous amount of functionality, including capabilities that are not available in Google Expeditions and Google Tour Creator. For example, you can:
Our website has a series of case studies that highlight these capabilities.
VRTY makes its tools available only to registered educational institutions, their teachers, and students. It offers multiple subscription pricing plans to satisfy both individuals and institutions.
• A$15/mth – for individuals building quick and simple VR/360° projects
• A$50/mth – for individuals who need more customisation for VR/360° projects
• A$125/mth – for groups of educators and learners to build their curriculum-aligned VR/360° projects
The VRTY Platform is available for a free three-week trial. Take some time to look through our website to learn more.
We received great interest in our last comparison article between VRTY vs Google Tours Creator and compare VRTY and Google Tour Creators in a Table format. So this time we decided to write another article comparing VRTY with another well known VR software, ClassVR.
Both ClassVR and VRTY have an online platform for educators to utilise and create VR content for their lesson plans. However, the structure and function of both online platforms are different. The structure of ClassVR focuses on viewing VR content. It is mainly for teachers to manage and connect VR scenes from the ClassVR library to the ClassVR headsets for students to view. Educators have a screen to oversee where the students are viewing the scene while they are in the VR headset. Educators also have the control to guide the students on where to see while in VR mode, perfect for a classroom setting.
As for the VRTY platform, it is a creation tool for educators and students to create, build and share their VR/360° projects with others. Educators and students have their own VRTY account to express their creativity and create a VR/360° project. They can choose their own scenes and create their very own marker (hotspot) icons to place in the VR scene. Also, they have the freedom to create marker content which can include images, GIFs, videos and audio for the viewers to see when they interact with the markers. VRTY also have a CoLab feature, where the educator can guide multiple viewers throughout the same VR/360° project at the same time.
As ClassVR mainly focuses on viewing VR content, they provide hundreds of VR scenes for educators to choose from for their students to view and experience. Creators can upload 360° images and videos for their students to experience using the ClassVR equipment too. Sign up to VRTY to check out VRTY’s curated library which stores over hundreds of 360° images and videos and content marker icons from all over the world just for creators to build their VR/360° projects. Since VRTY is a VR creation platform, the creator can plan, film and upload their own 360° images and videos captured from 360° cameras all in one platform.
Markers commonly known as hotspots contain informational pop–up boxes when the viewer trigger or hover over it in a 360° scene. On the VRTY platform, it is called as the content marker, where the creator can add and layer all types of content in one. They accept image, GIF, video, text and audio type content. Markers are a great tool to add more information to deliver educational details of the scene. On top of that, creators can enhance the markers by setting it to move or appear at a certain time in a 360° scene. Check out this VR project where it shows VRTY features clearly. However, ClassVR does not have the capability of adding and placing markers in a scene to show and add information to the viewers.
Sharing any VR/360° project is essential for creators and viewers. For ClassVR users with the assumption of having only one kit per class, students have to share between 4-8 headsets among the class. Teachers have the capability to share and control a 360° scene to lead students who are in the VR headsets in 360° using the ClassVR classroom portal. Teachers can add a guided hotspot to direct and guide students to view a certain area in a scene. Unfortunately, ClassVR does not have the flexibility as compared to VRTY to share content with others who do not own a ClassVR kit or software. VRTY has a simple sharing method, creators can share their VR/360° project through a unique generated link, QR code or creators can also generate an embed code to share it on websites.
As ClassVR focuses on viewing and experiencing VR projects, they have their own built-in VR headsets that link with their online software. This setup gives teachers full control easily over what they want their students to view from the online software to the students’ VR headsets. ClassVR provides their custom 4 headsets kit or 8 headsets kit for the classroom together with access to the online ClassVR software. ClassVR users are limited to the ClassVR custom VR headsets to view the VR projects. Their custom VR headsets have an amazing technology where there’s a built-in camera for hand gestures and AR content. The unique hand gestures are created for viewers to explore the scene easily without tapping on the screen, i.e.: shake head to return to the menu, OK hand gesture to choose and tilt head right or left to scroll their menu. Teachers also can monitor where the students are looking in real-time through the classroom portal.
To combat the VR sharing and viewing scalability issue, VRTY recommends creators and viewers to use mobile VR headsets to view whenever and wherever with just a link click away. If VR is not an option to view and experience, viewers can view and experience the VR/360° project using the 360° mode on mobile, tablets, laptops and computers. Get your free access today for free to start creating in VR/360° without putting in any credit card details.
As technologies continue to improve, educators are finding more ways of using virtual reality to improve the way they bring to life learning experiences. So have you ever wondered about the history of VR and how it became the VR we all know today? Here is a short read on how it all began.
Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that allows users to experience immersive simulated realities that may be similar or wildly different from the real world. First conceptualised in the 1980s, VR refers specifically to what was then a brand-new human-computer method of interaction created with the help of cutting-edge computers and sensor technology. The aim of VR technology was to use computer simulations to generate a virtual world in a three-dimensional space, offering sensory simulations to rouse users’ visual, auditory and tactile capacities. This three-dimensional experience would come together in a way that allowed users to feel like they were present in a computer-generated scene.
The origins of VR can be traced back as early as the 1940s when the United States had started to design flight simulators. Thanks to advancements in computer technology, particularly in relation to computer graphics, these useful simulators had been developed to allow for large screen displays and the generation of panoramic scenes. The aim, of course, was to improve the skills of pilots and ensure the safety of air passengers, so computer experts worked hard to make the simulators as effective and close to real life as possible.
In 1965, Ivan Sutherland (often referred to as the father of computer graphics) made history by publishing a paper entitled “The Ultimate Display”, in which he described his idea to use a computer screen as a window through which to observe a virtual world. In other words, he sparked the world’s interest in VR and signalled his intent to spend time building new immersive technologies. In 1968, Sutherland came up with a design for a helmet-mounted, three-dimensional display device. Although it was fairly rudimentary, it laid the foundation for the kinds of three-dimensional display technologies many of us enjoy today.
Since Sutherland let the world know about his new invention, there have not been any major breakthroughs in the field. Interest in the field of VR has increased substantially, however. In fact, it was not until the early 1980s that tech guru Jaron Lanier formally proposed the term “Virtual Reality”, a time when a series of increasingly sophisticated simulated sensing devices (such as helmet-mounted j-dimensional displays, data gloves, data clothing and stereo headphones) hit the market, along with corresponding computer hardware and software systems. By the 1990s, research on VR technologies had become mainstream and was developing faster than ever before.
In the 1990s, a report written up by the Interactive System Project Working Group and funded by the National Science Foundation of the United States presented a more systematic discussion of VR, suggesting how the field could develop further and offering up ideas for research projects. Indeed, it had become apparent that virtual reality technology integrated a variety of different scientific fields such as computer graphics technology, computer simulation technology, sensor technology, display technology, and more. To ensure that users feel truly immersed in their virtual environments, developers had come to realise, VR needed to include information that inspired its users and permitted the option to interact with the virtual world. Put simply, it was understood around the 1990s that VR environments needed to succeed in three basic areas: immersion, vision, and interaction. This meant that the core focus of VR technology was centred around modelling and simulation.
The increased focus on VR by tech scientists in the 1990s meant that a special kind of VR fever started to spread around the globe. This was evidenced by the release of the VR novel “Avalanche” by Neal Stephenson and the movie “Grass Cutter”. Between 1992 and 2002, at least six major movies involved VR technologies, showing a world that was only just around the corner.
In the 2000s, mobile devices ushered in an explosion of interest in VR which is yet to wane. Products such as Sony’s 3kg VR helmet and Sensics’ piSight display device were just some of the new-fangled technologies to hit the market and bring VR to the mainstream. As interest in VR has expanded in the scientific community, VR has started to be seriously considered in medical research applications, as well as the aviation, manufacturing, and military industries.
Perhaps the most famous example of commercial VR technology in recent years is the Oculus Rift, which started life in August 2012 as a crowdfunding project started by 19-year-old Palmer Luckey. It won the support of 9,522 consumers and received $2.43 million in funds, enabling the company Oculus to quickly enter the development and production. By 2014, Oculus was acquired by internet giant Facebook for an amazing $2 billion, demonstrating VR’s potential as a lucrative sector.
In 2014, major companies began to launch their own VR products. Google released the cheap and easy-to-use Cardboard, Samsung launched Gear VR, and consumer-level VR began to emerge as a profitable sector. Thanks to the rapid development of smartphones in recent years, the prices of sensors, LCD screens and other parts required for VR equipment have been reduced, solving the profitability problems once associated with VR’s mass production and cost.
In the past few years, the number of VR entrepreneurs around the world has skyrocketed. According to Lou Chi, CEO of Fireworks Workshop, there were more than 200 VR hardware companies operating and turning a profit in 2014.
Although the promise and potential of VR are very clear, the field has been beleaguered with problems over the past few decades, having been labelled as costly to set-up and difficult to master. Even worse, some people could not find the tangible benefits of VR, with many starting to consider it a flashy gimmick. To change this perception and make VR accessible to everyone, VRTY was established in 2016.
VRTY is a powerful cloud-based platform designed to help everyone create, share and view their VR 360° content. It is about democratising VR and bringing it many benefits to the masses. The differences between VRTY’s solution and others in the field include:
The major difference between the VRTY platform is its easy-to-use functionality. Everyone can create VR content following three easy steps: planning a story, adding interactive markers and then sharing with the online community.
VRTY story planning builder helps the creator to map their VR experience end-to-end. This is very important as VR experiences are not created in the way that a traditional video or photo image would be. Rather, interactive markers are added to give the audiences an interactive, immersive experience. Markers can reveal information, images, videos, and sound, or transport audiences into a different scene. Creators can share their VR experience with anyone through a simple URL link, cutting out the need to mess around with YouTube. All the VRTY VR stories can work in your phone’s internet browser and can be shared via email, SMS, Facebook, WhatsApp or embedded on a website. Besides these easy steps, VRTY also provides analytics data for VR content in order to help creators find out information about their audiences. Use it to track interested viewers, set up multiple choice quizzes, or simply find out what viewers liked the most.
In the next article, we will be talking about the three fundamental characteristics of the VR environment system, which are immersion, interaction and vision.
When it comes to VR and 360º content, Google is one of the biggest names in the industry. With its Google Expeditions and Google Tour Creator tools, anyone can visit thousands of locations around the world virtually or even create their own virtual tour to share.
For educators looking for ways to bring immersive technology into their classrooms, these Google tools are a great entry point, are affordable, and can provide access to a large volume of content.
If you are looking for the next level in immersive technology, then the VRTY application is a great option for your education needs. Our platform is focused on the creation, which allows for greater flexibility in aligning the content to curriculum or specific learning outcomes.
Here is a list of the key differences between Google Tour Creator, Google Expeditions and the VRTY application.
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| What is it? | VRTY is a creating tool that helps students and teachers to create, view and share their own curriculum-aligned VR and interactive 360° projects. | Google Tour Creator is a creating tool, allowing anyone to create their own VR tour using imagery from Google’s Street View or their own 360º photos. | Google Expeditions is an immersive education app that allows teachers and students to explore the world through virtual-reality tours. |
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As schools and universities start preparing for remote and online classes for student learning due to COVID-19, there will be many different software platforms and technologies to choose from; and VR/360º is one of them.
At VRTY, we created an easy-to-use, content creation platform where teachers or students can create their own curriculum aligned projects which stores in the cloud and can be shared at scale – making it perfect for fun, immersive and interactive online learning. The platform has free 360° images and videos, markers and also marker content. It is so simple to use and you can create a VR project within an hour!
Checkout these Erosion Learning and Assessment modules created with the primary school teachers at Mount Sinai College, Sydney:
https://pro.vrty.io/6ohtcb/Phase_1_-_Erosion_Learning
https://pro.vrty.io/ocvgfr/Phase_2_-_Erosion_Assessment
For the best experience open in Safari or Chrome browsers.
Stay safe and stay healthy. Let’s flatten the curve together!
Hello educators, students and learning lovers! The VRTY team would like to wish you a happy holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for supporting us continuously. For this holiday we would like to continue to encourage you to create and learn.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The team quickly whipped up a Christmas VR/interactive 360° experience on how others celebrate this festive season from different parts of the world. We chose four countries for this experience, viewers get to teleport to Japan, Mexico, Iceland and Australia to learn each country’s Christmas traditions.
We added in little fun facts such a popular tradition in Japan is that Japanese indulges KFC on this festive day. And you get to learn more about these fun facts from all four countries.
Experience it here or use your phone to scan the project’s QR code below to experience the VR/interactive 360° project. Learn the viewing instructions for the VR/interactive 360° project over here.
PwC’s published a ‘Seeing is Believing’ report recently to show that immersive technology is more than just fun and entertainment. They predicted that almost 23.5 million jobs worldwide will be using AR and VR by 2030. How exciting! The usage of AR and VR starts with training the workforce in all types of industry. By creating digital versions of particular scenarios, AR and VR will effectively let employees improve their skills in a fast, cost-effective, and safe method.
Read Seeing is Believing report by PWC.
If you’re interested in how to get started, please reach out to us, we would love to chat with you. VRTY focuses on the education industry and helps to create educational and training learning experiences using VR and interactive 360º content. The whole process is faster than you think, it’s cost-effective, it’s versatile, and it’s scalable.
Can you believe that we are now in the last month of 2019? I can’t believe it. Time surely flies! Now as we are in the month of festivity, let me give you a quick rundown on what happened in the month of November. If you follow our social media then you might have known about it, if not, follow our social media platforms for our latest updates.
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Bronwyn Moreton (Ravenswood School for Girls, ICT Integrator) invited Kingston (VRTY CEO) to join her to share about Virtual Reality (VR) in the “AR/VR in the Classroom: The new normal?” workshop in EduTech Asia in Singapore. The workshop shares about the benefits and the how-tos of bringing immersive technologies into the classroom. Kingston shared about the VRTY platform and how educators can implement virtual reality for their students easily and make it scalable at an affordable price.
This November, we finally get to share an ongoing VR project we had been working on for a couple of months. VRTY partnered with a Filippino non-profit organisation called Postcards from Disasters (PFD). PFD aims to spread awareness of Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban City to the local citizens through photography and Yolanda survivor’s stories.
This year marks the 6th year since Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban City. VRTY worked with PFD to share the Tacloban City experience through VR. Our VRTY team went to Tacloban City to film in 360° and created a VR experience on the VRTY platform for the annual PFD exhibit.
This VR experience aimed for citizens to have a tour of the Tacloban City six years after the Super Typhoon Yolanda. The exhibit launched through November in a couple of areas in Manila. You can experience Tacloban City wherever you are. Visit this page for more information.
The exhibit launch went well. We like to express our thanks to the His Excellency Steven J. Robinson AO (Australia Ambassador in the Philippines) who made some time to visit the launch.
If you want to watch his reaction as he was going through the experience in a VR headset, click here.
These are the main events that happened in the month of November for the VRTY team.
Enjoy your holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
At VRTY, we encourage our users to create their own VR/interactive 360° projects on the VRTY platform using your design tool of choice. We don’t want to limit our creators’ creativity to a certain look and feel for their projects. Creators can upload their own marker icons to other jpeg and png images or even GIFs. This way makes the VR/interactive 360° stories look more seamless and consistent.
We’ve been asked multiple times what design tools are affordable and easy to use to create marker icons for VR/interactive 360° stories. Due to copyrighted licenses, downloading an image from Google is not as easy as it seems. We do encourage you to create your own marker icons to avoid any licenses terms and conditions. Here is a list of online design tools you can use to create your marker icons for free!
There are times when your JPEG or PNG file sizes are too large and it fails to upload onto the VRTY platform. So, we always recommend you to compress your files before uploading them onto the VRTY platform. Compress JPEG / PNG is very simple to use. All you have to do is upload the file of your choice, then it will automatically compress your images. You can also do compress multiple images at the same time to save time. Then downloaded the images will be in a zip file.
Cool Text is a simple text to logo image tool for all users. It is very easy to use that all the user have to do is choose a style and put in your text and/or logo that you want to style it and export it into an image file. After inputting the text, the user can adjust the colour, shadow and composition of the image. Then, you can export it into a JPEG or PNG file. It is just as easy as that.
EZGIF is a great design tool to create GIFs from multiple images or a short video. All you have to do is to upload a few images onto the web application, you can adjust the speed, size of the GIF and more. Then, the application will create it into a GIF, simple as that. Although the interface is not the greatest, however, it works with
Icon Finder has over 14,000 free icons for you to download and use it as a marker icon for your VR/interactive 360° project. You can also edit the icon in an icon editor to make some changes. If that is not enough, you can download them as an SVG file, which you can edit in Adobe Illustrator. If you are happy with the icon as it is, you can choose to download them as a normal PNG file. Flat Icon is also a great alternative to search for amazing icon designs. They also provide users with more file types to download, such as PNG, SVG, EPS, PSD or HTML code. User searches for the icons of choice and downloads them onto the desktop. Make sure to read the license of each icon, as there are some icons that need to be credited for its creative commons license. You just have to mention them in your VR/interactive 360° project.
PIXLR is well known among many creators. It is basically an online version of Adobe Photoshop. This web-based application is free for you to use. Everyone can use it as long as you have a laptop or a desktop and an internet connection.
PIXLR is available in two versions: PIXLR Express and PIXLR Editor
PIXLR Express has a simple interface that is suitable for beginner users for simple editing uses. It contains simple features such as crop, rotate, filters and adding text. On the other hand, the PIXLR Editor is the best free online alternative to Photoshop. This editor provides more advanced features compared to PIXLR Express and is similar to Photoshop. It can colour correct, add text, masking and more. Creators definitely will have more control over what they want to create with PIXLR.
ABS CBN
In commemoration of the sixth anniversary of Yolanda’s landfall, non-profit group Postcards from Disasters allows us to see the devastation brought by Supertyphoon Yolanda in a different light. The group offers an interactive tour into Yolanda’s ground zero so Filipinos may never forget the lessons from this disaster.
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Hardest to remove from the roads in the coastal village of Anibong in Tacloban City after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) struck six years ago, according to survivor Maria Rosario Bactol, were not storm debris or even the 3,000-ton commercial vessel that had been pushed ashore by cyclone surge.
CNN Philippines
Six years after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda, residents of Barangay Anibong in Tacloban City say that full recovery is still a long way to go.
People’s TV (PTV)
The LaSallian
Non-profit group Postcards From Disasters is staging a Virtual Reality (VR) tour into Super Typhoon Yolanda’s ground zero six years after its landfall.
If you want to know more information about VRTY and what it does. Here is a PDF copy of the VRTY’s brochure.
Link: https://vrty.io/VRTY-education.pdf
Virtual Reality and 360º content for education is still a fairly recent technology tool. VRTY encourages educators and students to create their own interactive VR and 360º content to align content with their curriculum plans. It is hard to know where to start creating Virtual Reality and 360º content, especially without the correct tools, as they can be different from the traditional media.
Nowcomms Group published a step-by-step guide on how you can start and what you should look out for while creating your own Virtual Reality and 360º content. Read the article here.
VR is a new way to educate your students to have an engaging and fun class. It also allows your students to achieve deeper learning, decision-making skills and more. If you want more advice on how to start creating VR and 360º content for your classroom, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We finally launched a new VRTY update onto the VRTY platform and hope that you can have a better user experience while creating VR/360° stories with these new features. Read the list below for the new features and improvements we made in this new update.
1. When you are creating your own unique VR/360° story, you can set the viewer’s starting direction. You can control where you want the viewer to view first when they enter the scene.
You can find this feature at the toolbar above the timeline in ‘Manage interactions’ page.
2. Our built-in focus adjuster finally has a name: Digital Focusing Widget
3. You can upload .wav files (audio) for sound markers.
4. You can see uploaded GIFs come to live on the thumbnails in your media library.
5. In the publish page for each VR/360° stories. We made a couple of improvements.
If you have any feedback or facing any issues, feel free to contact us through the report the bug system on the VRTY platform or email us.
Kingston (VRTY CEO) returned to Erina High School for the ‘A Day on the Farm’ professional development event in July 2019. Through this event, it gives VRTY an opportunity to share how using VRTY can enhance your lesson plans.
The attended teachers went through a VR in education workshop first. Then, they learned to create a VR project using the VRTY platform. For most of these teachers, it is their first time creating a VR project. Using the VRTY platform helped them to easily create one within the hour.
If you are interested to know more about VR in education. Also, to learn how to create your own curriculum-aligned VR stories for your classes, feel free to contact us.
#ThrowbackThursday
VRTY was recognised as the Top 10 Hottest AR/VR Technology Solution Providers in 2018 on CIO Advisor. It was such an exciting moment for us.
As technology has been improving and advancing in such a rapid pace. Virtual Reality (VR) is no longer a foreign term to society. However, the public still assumes that VR is exclusive only to research labs and high-end gaming rooms. Therefore, for VR to be a norm, it is challenging especially for the price and content production time.
VRTY aims to make immersive technology easily accessible by reducing the cost and make it scalable to a larger audience and are starting with the educational industry.
VRTY is an easy-to-use platform tool for you to create an interactive VR story that can be curriculum-aligned. You can place interactive markers that pops-up information when triggered; the portal marker will transport you to the next or previous scene. Also, it teaches students to be creative and acquire design-thinking skills through active learning.
Read more about the article here.
IT News
We are thrilled to announce VRTY is partnering with the University of Newcastle and education researcher, Associate Professor Erica Southgate.
Associate Professor Southgate to research and understand how to implement virtual reality (VR) in classrooms using VRTY platform. Using immersive technology will enhance learning opportunities and outcomes for primary and secondary school students.
We are eagerly anticipating to starting this research and sharing our journey. Furthermore, the University of Newcastle, The Educator Online and it news featured this new partnership.
We had a chance to visit Oakhill College during mid-June 2019 to follow up with what they were doing and how they are implementing VRTY into their curriculum.
We discovered that Oakhill College executed the VRTY platform into its Year 9 STEM class. Each student has to create an interactive 360/VR tour project on a real-life business as their assignment.
An interesting approach we discovered is the way the students learn to use VRTY. Their teacher encourages them to self-explore and self-learn the platform which will build these students to be more independent.
These students will learn the end-to-end process of creating. From ideation, storyboarding, filming and then producing a VR project while doing this assignment. Moreover, they will understand each of their chosen businesses in-depth when creating their VR project using the VRTY platform.
We can’t wait to see more creations in the future!
We went to visit our lead partner school, Erina High School on the 22nd of May 2019. Kingston (CEO of VRTY) gave a VRTY training to four ICT students who are in the IT team.
The students went through the VRTY training by learning the differences between high-end and low-end virtual reality (VR), what users can create with VR and more. Furthermore, they learned about the VRTY platform and how to create their own VR story using VRTY. After the training, they went out and about and begun filming in 360 to start their own VR story.
The students received the VRTY Masters title upon accomplishing their training. These four students will be in charge to teach teachers and students to create VR stories using the VRTY platform.
The VRTY team wishes everyone to continue to create, learn actively and most importantly have fun!
There’s some new updates that just went live on the VRTY Platform.
Here are the updates:
1. Right now when you create a new marker, you can just click on the scene to place the marker immediately. Easy!
2. New voices for the text-to-speech function. We added some new English accents for the text-to-speech function for users, so they can have more voices to choose from to create their own VR stories.
We welcomed Dr. Garcia to Sydney, Australia in late May 2019. We were providing a VR training course for her. We started with a one day workshop to introduce about VR, the VRTY platform and learning how VR aligns with the pedagogy.
Dr. Garcia then get to have the hands-on experience and learned the end-to-end process to create a VR project. We started going through the steps with some tips and tricks on how to film in 360. Then, we begin to create her first VR project on the VRTY platform. In a short period of time, Dr. Garcia understood the VRTY platform navigation and learnt the basic use of creating a VR story. This is perfect to show you that it is simple to learn and create an interactive VR/ 360 project in a short amount of time. Dr. Garcia felt contented as she got to view her project on her phone instantly after publishing it.
We continued creating another VR story for Dr. Garcia to practice in creating a VR project. Dr. Garcia gets to be creative and create what she wants viewers to experience it. She is eager to bring back the VR technology to the Philippines and share it with universities.
At the end of the training, we had a small certificate giving ceremony on congratulating Dr. Garcia in completing her VRTY training.
We can’t wait to experience some VR projects from different creators about the Philippines and the Philippines education.
IOS 12.2 just came out for your iPhone. Now in Safari, it turns off the motion sensor by default.
Without motion detection, you cannot experience VR through VRTY‘s magic window (gyroscopic mode). It is simple to turn it back on, here are the steps:
If you want to learn more on ways to view Virtual Reality on your iPhone, check out our list of viewing guide.
We also have a collection of case studies and lesson plans for you to experience VR easily through your iPhone. There’s no need to sign up to view these projects. We like to bring to your attention that you can create your own VR projects through our easy-to-use online platform and share them with friends and family easily through your iPhone.
This week, we have a few updates on the Add Interactions page to improve your experience while creating your own VR/Interactive 360.
If you have any suggestion, issue and/or feedback. Tell us through our contact form.
VRTY went through a major makeover session for the past few months and now we are ready for you to have a look and use it!
What’s new:
If you have any suggestion, issue and/or feedback. Tell us through our contact form.
We went to the Philippines!
It has been a while since we updated you on what has been happening with VRTY. Thank you for supporting us.
Our CEO, Kingston went to the Philippines in November 2018 to represent VRTY in the CMITS conference, the FIRST VR/AR/Immersive tech in education conference in Quezon City (QC), Philippines. Kingston had the opportunity to present about VRTY at the event. Polytechnic University of Philippines’ broadcast media faculty partner with VRTY to incorporate VR into their curriculum as a Proof of Concept (POC) in December 2018. This partnership is also the FIRST for Philippines universities.
In February 2019, Kingston went back to Quezon City as a speaker, opening ceremony VIP, event partner and exhibitor at the QC Animation & IT Fair – “Moving Towards Future Tech” event, together with VRTY co-founder, Ryan. The event was organised by the amazing team of KORPHIL and the QC local government. Thousands of school students, professional educators and administrators attended the three day event.
For this event, VRTY partnered with the QC government and the local Department of Education to launch a Philippines FIRST VR in public school education. 25 schools were hand-picked and provided the VRTY platform to create their own VR projects as an educational material for their classes. Some of these projects were showcase during the QC Animation & IT event.
Kingston presented in front of the attendees on the topic ‘VR is finally a reality in education’. At the VRTY demonstration area, attendees experienced a range of VR projects created by students and teachers who uses the VRTY platform. Attendees were also able to view the projects in an interactive 360 format on the latest Predator laptops, kindly provided by Acer Philippines, Inc. We would not have this opportunity without the support of the key stakeholders like QC Vice-Mayor, Joy Belmonte, the local Department of Education, and Mayor Herbert Bautista.
The VRTY team created a list of VR and interactive 360 ideas for using VR and interactive 360 to improve educational activities. This list will continue to expand as we continue to grow and make more VR and interactive 360 projects.
VRTY
Google Tour Creator
Google Expedition