VIRTUAL PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

With technology playing an ever-increasing role in education, the Endeavour Foundation is looking to the future to see how technology can help support their clients.

Funds from this year’s Great Endeavour Rally will be used to further develop its virtual reality platforms that help develop a range of independent learning skills.

Endeavour Foundation CEO Andrew Donne said clients used an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset to enter an immersive and interactive three-dimensional world that lets them practise skills such as how to use timetables for public transport.

“Thanks to Heritage Bank in Toowoomba we’ve developed a platform where people navigate their way to the Heritage Bank ATM near our day service in Toowoomba city, take out a bank card, enter their PIN number and withdraw some cash,” he said.

Mr Donne said the virtual learning environment could help people with an intellectual disability learn at their own pace without potential risks.

“The beauty of virtual learning is that people can do potentially frightening or dangerous things without having to be scared or get lost in public and without the risk of stepping in front of a train or a car,” he said.

“For someone with autism, sensory issues, developmental delays or severe anxiety, it’s much less confronting to try new things in virtual reality than step outside the door and do them in real life.

“In a calm and safe environment, people can familiarise themselves with the actions they will need to perform, and there is no risk if they become upset or ... get it wrong.”