Harper Sercombe
The Broadmeadows Library is encouraging kids to take a leap into the future these school holidays by offering a range of virtual reality experiences.
With VR on the rise, youth services librarian Megan Becke said it’s the perfect time for kids to be learning about future technologies.
“That’s why this program is really good because it’s an introduction to the movements and the systems,” she said.
The council purchased six Meta Quest headsets as part of a Victoria University emerging technologies grant program.
Programs team leader Jacqueline Auhl said the possibilities with the headsets are endless.
“You can use them to explore all types of virtual environments, we have an International Space Station program, where you can explore the ISS as an astronaut,” she said.
“We have interesting historical experiences, you can explore Anne Frank’s house for example.
“Or there’s just fun made up virtual worlds.”
It’s not just for entertainment with the technology being used to help educate and train young people for job interviews. People can sit down with a virtual person and go through the whole interview process from what to wear, to ensuring the time is right, to answering questions.
“It even gives feedback based on things like your eye contact and length of answers,” Ms Becke said.
“It’s really great for young people that are nervous about job interviews or just want to practice, it’s a really non-confrontational way to do that with a fake person.”
