Latest education updates from around the world

‘Arizona Sunshine’ Studio Working on Unannounced “AAA VR game” Based on a Global Franchise

By |November 6, 2023|

According to a recent job offer posted by Amsterdam-based developer Vertigo Games, pre-production has begun on a “high-profile, multiplatform AAA VR game,” which is said to be based on a globally recognized franchise.

Posted earlier this month, the studio is looking for a Lead Level Designer with a proven track record in level design for console/PC action-adventure games as well as expertise in Unreal Engine.

Acquired by Embracer Group in 2020, Vertigo Games is behind titles such as Arizona Sunshine (2016) and After the Fall (2021).

The company has grown significantly over the years, having acquired AR/VR […]

SteamVR Gets New ‘Theater Screen’ for Playing Flatscreen Games in VR

By |November 6, 2023|

Valve released the SteamVR Beta 2.1.1 update which includes a new way to play flatscreen games in VR.

Called SteamVR Theater Screen, the new function is said to replace the old Desktop Game Theater app, which was first released in 2016.

Like Desktop Game Theater, the new Theater Screen is a way of playing non-VR games from a large, virtual screen—i.e. it doesn’t turn your non-VR games into actual VR games. You’ll need bespoke mods for specific games to do that, with games such as the Half-Life 2 VR mod or the […]

4 Tips For New Edtech Professionals

By |November 6, 2023|

Advice for those new to the edtech field from award-winning technology director Sandra Paul

60 Hilarious Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids

By |November 6, 2023|

Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids are the topic of our blog post today!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s no better time than now to share some laughter and good vibes. Today, I’ve got a gobble-gobble bunch of Thanksgiving jokes that are perfect for kids or anyone young at heart. These jokes are all about turkeys, Pilgrims, and everything in between—guaranteed to make you and your little ones crack up!

While you’re in the holiday spirit, why not head over to our Thanksgiving resources section? You’ll find some spook-tacular materials that are perfect for the season. So, […]

20 Fun and Easy Thanksgiving Games for Family

By |November 6, 2023|

Thanksgiving games for family are the topic of our blog post today!

Thanksgiving—a day when the kitchen smells like a dream, and everyone’s looking forward to a feast. But let’s be honest, the day can stretch on, especially if you have a house full of guests waiting for that turkey to finish up in the oven. Maybe the kids are getting restless, or perhaps the adults need something to do besides watching football or browsing through Black Friday ads. Either way, keeping the family entertained is crucial.

That’s why I’ve put together a seriously fun list of Thanksgiving games that […]

40 Interesting Thanksgiving Facts for Kids and Adults

By |November 6, 2023|

Thanksgiving facts for kids and adults are the topic of our blog post today!

Thanksgiving is a holiday with rich historical roots and traditions that vary from family to family and even state to state. From the myth-laden story of the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth to modern day traditions like the Macy’s Parade, Thanksgiving is a holiday that invites us to dig deeper.

Whether you’re a trivia buff, a school teacher searching for classroom material, or a parent wanting to share some fun facts with the kids around the dinner table, this list of Thanksgiving facts will not only […]

Thanksgiving Day Activities

By |November 6, 2023|

Thanksgiving day activities are the topic of our blog post today!

Thanksgiving is a time for coming together with loved ones to express gratitude and, of course, to feast! But the holiday isn’t just about eating turkey and all the trimmings. It’s a golden opportunity to create lasting memories with fun and engaging activities for the whole family. From games that test your culinary creativity to outdoor activities that let you soak up the crisp fall air, the options are endless for making this Thanksgiving a memorable one.

The purpose of today’s post is to share with you this handy […]

40 Heartfelt Thanksgiving Wishes and Messages

By |November 5, 2023|

Thanksgiving wishes and messages are the topic of our blog post today!

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and as you all know, sending heartfelt messages to our loved ones is as much a part of the tradition as the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. I believe that Thanksgiving is much more than simply feasting, it’s rather an opportunity to reflect on what we’re thankful for and express that gratitude to the special people in our lives.

Related: Best Thanksgiving Books for kids

In this blog post, I curated for you this diverse collection of Thanksgiving wishes and […]

30 Creative Thanksgiving Gift Ideas

By |November 5, 2023|

Thanksgiving gift ideas are the topic of our blog post today!

Thanksgiving is dear to our hearts. I look forward to it each year and the older I more I love this special event. To me Thanksgiving is much more than mere feasting; it’s a celebration of gratitude, relationships, and, of course, the joy of giving.

In today’s post, I went ahead and curated for you this collection of Thanksgiving gift ideas to help you in your search for the perfect gift to surprise your loved ones. From heartwarming personalized gifts to Amazon finds that’ll arrive at […]

Microsoft Educator Program Explained for Teachers

By |November 4, 2023|

The Microsoft Educator Program is a goldmine for educators seeking to elevate their teaching strategies, especially in a world where digital literacy is not just valued but essential. The program can be leveraged for various purposes including for professional development.

The Microsoft Educator Program i is premised on the idea that the effectiveness of educators is a critical driver of student success. With in mind, the platform offers a multitude of resources tall of which cate to the evolving needs of educators who are committed to embracing new technologies and methods.

Professional Growth Pathway

I […]

These Clever Tools Make VR Way More Immersive – Inside XR Design

By |November 4, 2023|

In Inside XR Design we examine specific examples of great VR design. Today we’re looking at the clever design of Red Matter 2’s ‘grabber tools’ and the many ways that they contribute to immersion.

You can find the complete video below, or continue reading for an adapted text version.

Intro

Today we’re going to talk about Red Matter 2 (2022), an adventure puzzle game set in a retro-future sci-fi world. The game is full of great VR design, but those paying close attention will know that some of its innovations were actually pioneered all the way back in 2018 with the release […]

‘Echo VR’ Online Play is Back with the Help of This Unofficial Mod

By |November 3, 2023|

Meta shut down Echo VR, one of its best-performing VR games, in early August. At the time, it seemed like there was little hope for fans to ever play again, but now a modder has released an experimental project that brings unofficial online matches back to the zero-G sports game.

Created by David ‘Xenomega’ Pokora, the so-called ‘EchoRelay’ mod for the PC VR version of the game has brought back online services, which includes both Echo Arena and the game’s VR shooter variant, Echo Combat. Since it’s a PC mod, there’s no such solution for the Quest […]

Hands-on: ‘UNDERDOGS’ is a Smashing Good Time and an Innovative Approach to VR Mech Combat

By |November 3, 2023|

UNDERDOGS is an upcoming VR mech brawler that takes the veteran indie VR studio behind Racket: Nx in an ambitious new direction.

It was clear all the way back in 2018 with the release of Racket: Nx that developer One Hamsa has a certain sense of game-feel and attention-to-detail that’s rare to find in most VR games. The studio managed to take a broad idea like ‘racquetball in VR’ and turn it into something really unique and totally fitting for the medium.

Now, five years later, the studio’s next project is a total pivot away from the slick VR sport it had […]

HTC is Sending a VR Headset to the ISS to Support Astronaut Mental Health

By |November 2, 2023|

Virtual reality is already being used on the ground to help prepare astronauts for the rigors of space, although now HTC says it’s sending its standalone VR headset Vive Focus 3 to the International Space Station (ISS) to help support the mental health of astronauts during their mission.

To help alleviate stress, and maybe even combat homesickness, a specially-fitted Vive Focus 3 will make its way to the ISS starting on November 7th as a part of a resupply mission.

The company says in a blogpost that it will be used by Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Commander of […]

ScreenPal: How To Use It To Teach

By |November 2, 2023|

ScreenPal, formerly Screen-O-Matic, is the original tool for capturing videos of your screen that’s ideal for education.

Unlocking Language Skills with Describing Words for Kids

By |November 2, 2023|

Describing words for Kids are the topic of our blog post today!

When it comes to building strong language skills, the power of describing words can’t be overstated. Descriptive words, which are a type of adjectives, serve as one of the building blocks of eloquent expression. These words go beyond the basics of nouns and verbs, allowing us to paint vivid pictures and convey complex emotions.

According to language development theories, such as the one articulated by Stephen Krashen in “Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition,” vocabulary is crucial in acquiring and mastering any language. […]

‘Silent Slayer’ is a Fascinating Puzzle Game Premise From the VR Puzzle Experts

By |November 1, 2023|

Schell Games, the studio behind the I Expect You to Die VR puzzle series, showed off more of its upcoming VR game which is all about slaying vampires—and of course the ever-looming threat of a jumpscare if you fail.

Coming in 2024 to Quest, the new trailer finally shows off some gameplay of Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire, which the studio initially announced back in June during Meta’s Quest Gaming Showcase.

Releasing on Quest 2/3/Pro, in Silent Slayer players become vampire slayers and are tasked with quietly eliminating an ancient vampire clan before they wake. Players must carefully dismantle their coffins’ defenses […]

‘Sniper Elite’ is Getting a New VR Game on Quest Soon, $15 Price Suggests Lower Ambitions

By |November 1, 2023|

Rebellion, the studio behind the Sniper Elite franchise, announced a new VR game coming to Quest this month: Sniper Elite VR: Winter Warrior.

The studio threw out a reveal trailer in addition to announcing a pretty close release date; it’s coming to Quest 2/3/Pro on November 30th.

While we can’t tell how deep the game will be just by looking at the trailer, Sniper Elite VR: Winter Warrior is only priced at $15, which suggests we’ll be getting a shorter game that the original Sniper Elite VR (2021), which launched with a six-hour campaign for $30. It’s also only been […]

PowerNotes: How To Use It to Teach

By |November 1, 2023|

PowerNotes is a strong research and citation tool that’s ideal for student and teacher use.

60 Math Jokes That Will Make Your Classroom Laugh

By |November 1, 2023|

Math jokes are the topic of our blog post today!

We’ve all been there—staring down a complex equation, scratching our heads over a tricky word problem, or just slogging through the academic ritual that is math homework. But what if we sprinkled in some humor to ease the anxiety and make math more accessible? In today’s post, we’re diving into a treasure trove of math jokes, funny math jokes, and even a few math puns that’ll have you and your students chuckling, if not outright laughing.

Now, you might be wondering, is humor in math class really that important? You […]

‘Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice’ Review – Iconic Kills in Unexpectedly Shallow Waters

By |November 1, 2023|

The latest VR entry into to the World of Darkness universe lets you loose on the streets of Venice as a bloodsucking ghoul in search of you master’s killer and a stolen relic. Although it takes cues from stealth games like Hitman and Assassin’s Creed, Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice—let’s just call it Justice for short—takes a decidedly more linear approach to missions than I thought it might from our initial preview. This isn’t a terrible thing, although it manages to also feel pared down in a few other ways that’s just unfortunate. Read on to hear my […]