VRkeer: learning to cycle in virtual reality
VRkeer is a virtual reality game that teaches children aged 10 to 14 how to deal with dangerous traffic situations. The tool teaches them to navigate smoothly and safely through our busy traffic.
Learned young, done old
Parents teach their children to cycle from an early age. Children often gain that first cycling experience in a safe environment free of traffic, such as a garden, a park or an empty car park. Schools also assist this learning process with theoretical lessons on traffic rules and practical cycling exercises in the playground.
However, a lot of schools report that these bicycle exercises in the playground are not life-like. Of course, a recreated street in the playground is not the same as a real street. Unexpected and unsafe traffic situations are missing.
Moreover, teachers find it difficult to objectively assess children's cycling skills. Especially when there are dozens of children cycling around the playground at the same time.
Virtual reality as a complement
To help schools train and evaluate cycling skills, Mobiel 21 and its partners developed VRkeer. Children use this unique tool to learn to cycle better. And they do so playfully in virtual reality. In a safe virtual environment, in other words. VRkeer thus complements the training sessions given by parents and teachers.
Via assignments, children explore traffic in a simulated street. The game forces them to react to unexpected and unsafe traffic situations. Think about giving way or taking into account the blind spots of trucks.
The game gives feedback and immediately shows the consequences of that reaction, for example by having the child crash or fall.
Did you know...
2.000 leerlingen uit verschillende scholen al met VRkeer aan de slag gingen?
VRkeer helpt als voorbereiding op de Grote Verkeertoets of het Grote Fietsexamen?
de tool in 2023 de ‘Excellence in Road Safety Award’ van de Europese Commissie won?
Benefits for child and teacher
VR traffic has many benefits for children and teachers. The tool lets children practise traffic situations they might just avoid in real life. In the virtual world, there is room for failure, repetition and improvement. Crashing your bike in VR traffic leads to new insights, not fatal injuries.
The tool also includes a dashboard that charts each child's performance in real-time. Teachers can thus objectively assess how cycling proficient each child is.
Something for you?
Would you also like to help your students between 10 and 14 years of age get on the track smoothly and safely? Then VRkeer is really for you. Let us know, or check the VRkeer website for more info (in Dutch).
VRkeer is a Smart Education @ Schools project developed in close cooperation between schools, children, the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Engineering, Moev and Mobiel 21. With thanks to Carl Boel, virtual reality expert at Odissee-Hogeschool and Ghent University. With support from IMEC and the Flemish Department of Education and Training.
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