Updated
Updated · Duluth News Tribune · Sep 19
Hermantown Schools Pilot 2 VR Career Courses for 13 Students With Dunwoody
Updated
Updated · Duluth News Tribune · Sep 19

Hermantown Schools Pilot 2 VR Career Courses for 13 Students With Dunwoody

2 articles · Updated · Duluth News Tribune · Sep 19

Summary

  • 13 Hermantown students have started testing VR headsets ahead of two Dunwoody career and technical courses in electrical systems and global architecture.
  • Six Minnesota districts are piloting the 14- to 16-week program, which lets students earn both high school and college credit through online lessons and mixed-reality labs.
  • Five headsets costing about $400 to $500 each will support Hermantown’s classes, with formal labs beginning in October after early practice sessions.
  • The district is the only Northland participant and is receiving the curriculum free this semester as Dunwoody tries to widen access to skilled-trades training beyond students’ ZIP codes.

Insights

Could a $500 VR headset solve the skilled labor shortage, or does it leave students unprepared for real-world dangers?
What happens when the free pilot ends, and will rural schools truly afford the ongoing cost of virtual reality education?