The VR4LEARNING Project’s final thematic event made a compelling impact at the EdTech Innovators Forum in Sofia, held on October 24-25. Originally designed for a smaller gathering, the event attracted an impressive 64 participants, surpassing expectations and highlighting the broad interest in the potential of VR and AR to transform education. Attendees included representatives from partner organizations, national policymakers, industry partners, NGOs, students, and leaders of student organizations. This final event marked not only the culmination of VR4LEARNING’s journey but also laid a strong foundation for its future expansion and sustainability within educational technology. Opening remarks from Deputy Minister of Education and Science Natalia Miteva and Sofia Tech Park’s Executive Director set an inspiring tone, emphasizing the significance of educational innovation for shaping tomorrow’s classrooms. Albena Spasova from EdTech Bulgaria delivered an energizing keynote that underscored the importance of continued progress in educational technology, framing VR4LEARNING as a pioneering initiative with transformative potential in how we teach and learn. Following this introduction, a panel discussion featuring distinguished voices such as Natalia Miteva, Eng. Ognyan Atanasov (Mayor of Kyustendil), Elitsa Efremova (Head of Innovation at Sofia Tech Park), Vladimir Kolev (Manager of Klett Bulgaria), Ivan Gospodinov (Chairman of Education Without Borders), and Diana Cholakova (Co-Founder and CEO of Stemy Kids) tackled the opportunities and challenges in leveraging emerging technologies for education. Facilitators Dr. Luis Guerrero from the University of Évora, Portugal, and Prof. Dr. Mihaela Tinca Udristioiu from the University of Craiova, Romania, led the participants through an interactive exploration of the latest VR trends and best practices. They showcased VR4LEARNING’s project phases and achievements, detailing how VR and AR are being used to create meaningful learning experiences that transcend traditional methods. Their presentation highlighted real-world applications and sparked significant interest in replicating VR4LEARNING’s models across various educational contexts. Attendees saw first-hand how VR environments could be customized to suit different educational needs, enhancing engagement and comprehension. Dr. Guerrero and Prof. Dr. Udristioiu also demonstrated how educators and practitioners could incorporate VR into their own work, connecting VR4LEARNING’s findings with practical insights. This hands-on approach empowered participants to envision VR’s role in their programs, sparking discussions on how immersive technology could address specific challenges in diverse settings.
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