Just in time for the back-to-school season, Schell Games’ virtual reality education tool, HistoryMaker VR, is available today on Steam.
HistoryMaker VR is an immersive content creation tool aimed at middle school students to help them learn history in an engaging way, while encouraging retention and active learning. Choosing from eight diverse characters in U.S. history including Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Tubman, and Sonia Sotomayor, students will upload a speech, prep their stage with a variety of props and set pieces, and record themselves in character. At the end of the recording, students can export the video files to be shared with their teachers and classmates. Educators will have access to Classroom Resources that will help them easily integrate this tool into their lesson plans. HistoryMaker VR is an innovative way for students to show off their knowledge of history, civics, and social studies and it is ideal for educators looking to improve student engagement, increase lesson retention, and introduce 21st-century ed tech tools into their classroom.
“At Schell Games, it is our goal to use advanced technology to create new and effective learning experiences,” said Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games. “With the uncertainty surrounding school attendance this year, we hope that HistoryMaker VR will be a welcome addition to students studying in classrooms and homes alike.”
HistoryMaker VR is available now on Oculus Rift/Rift S at no cost to educators and retails for $9.99 USD on Steam for all others. The game will launch with a 20% discount. Educators who are interested in getting access to the tool should go to the Educators Resources page of the HistoryMaker VR website. There, they will fill out a form to receive a free digital key to use on the Steam store. Instructions for redeeming the key can be found on the FAQs & Support page of the HistoryMaker VR website.
For more information on how to bring HistoryMaker VR to the classroom, visit the website here.
More information and assets can be found in the press kit. Get a glimpse of the tool in this video.