Aberdeen City Council’s academies are using virtual tours to help P7 pupils transition to secondary education.
The Education Services team, praised recently by Education Scotland for the way in which online resources have been used to maintain home learning, are going digital again to counteract COVID-19 restrictions and allow pupils making the step over in August to familiarise themselves with their new schools.
The virtual tours are also being used by special provision schools and primary schools to help younger children either going to school for the first time or who are moving schools.
Using Google Tour Creator, a small team of staff has been taking 360 degree photos of the schools’ exteriors and interior rooms, classes and halls for an immersive experience simulating an actual visit which would normally take place during the transition period.
Easily accessible and suitable for all learners, the immersive visual experiences will help children become familiar with their new social and physical school environments.
Some of the tours have commentary guides and there are plans to expand on the audio experience.
Two of the virtual tours can be viewed below: