Some Head-Mounted Displays (HMD) come with specific programs and experiences designed only for their product. It is important to know whether or not you can download other experiences to your HMD before purchasing equipment for your classroom. Additionally, finding the right education experience can take time and research. Explore our suggested VR Programs or browse through this section to learn more about finding the right experiences and discover places to download these experiences.
FIND THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE
Before integrating VR into your classroom, it is crucial to assess the effectiveness of your chosen VR activity in helping your students meet learning goals. To guide you with this, we have adapted an assessment and planning template based on ‘Triple E’ Framework. The framework is developed by Liz Kolb, a clinical associate professor of education technologies at The University Michigan, to guide educators when considering adding a learning technology tool.
For additional resources to draw information from, visit the following websites:
- How Virtual Reality Can Help Students Meet Learning Goals
- SAMR Model
- The Pedagogy of Technology Integration
References:
Kolb. (2020). Triple E evaluation rubric for Lesson Design. Triple E Framework. https://www.tripleeframework.com/triple-e-evaluation-rubric-for-lesson-design.html
DISCOVER AND DOWNLOAD GAMES
The following programs and sites are the primary holders of games and applications for virtual reality.
| Smartphones | VR Head-Mounted Displays |
| App Store by Apple Google Play Store by Google Merge Miniverse WEARVR | Itch.io Oculus Store Steam WEARVR VIVEPORT VRFocus |
App Store
The App Store is the primary location for iPhone users to download safe and trusted apps. With easy searching and useability, this app will help you to discover VR experiences you can rely on for your mobile device.
Requirements: Apple iPhone
Website: App Store
Google Play
The Google Play Store comes pre-installed on most Android devices and enables safe download of apps.
Requirements: Android Phone: Explore the list of supported devices.
Website: Google Play
Itch.io
Itch.io is an open marketplace for independent digital creators. There are over 4,000 VR experiences available for purchase and download, customly designed for specific objectives.
Requirements: Web Browser
Supported Headsets: Oculus Quest / Quest2
Website: Itch.io
Merge Miniverse
The MERGE Miniverse offers over 350 kid-friendly apps, games, and experiences to explore directly from your smartphone. With a dedicated section to Educational experiences, finding relevant content has never been so easy!
Requirements: Web Browser, Smartphone
Supported Headsets: Smartphones which support the App and HMD for Smartphone
Website: Merge Miniverse | VR & AR Apps & Experiences curated by Merge
Oculus Store
The Oculus Store contains programs and experiences for headsets designed by Oculus. These applications can be downloaded directly from the headset, or searched by means of a browser.
The Oculus App allows you to manage your Oculus VR device, explore over 1,000 apps in the Oculus Store, discover live VR events and so much more. With the Oculus app you can browse and buy VR games and experiences from the Oculus Store, remotely instal apps, find communities and friends to share experiences, manage and monitor your Oculus devices, and cast what you see in your VR headset to your phone or TV.
Requirements: Oculus Head-Mounted Display or Web Browser
Supported Headsets: Oculus Quest, Quest 2, Rift, Go and GearVR
Steam
Steam is the top destination for playing, discussing, and creating games. There are over 30,000 games available alongside regular sales and promotional events. Joining Steam allows you to comment on games, meet new people, join discussion groups, chat in-game with other players, and more! Steamworks, an addition to Steam, offers a set of tools and services that help game developers and publishers sell and distribute their games on Steam.
The store allows for each searchability for VR content, allowing the user to browse by headset type, price, and category. There are thousands of free games to explore, many of which are excellent for education. If a game is purchased, but it does not meet your criteria, games can be returned as long as there are less than 2 hours of gameplay on the purchase.
Games are launched directly through the SteamVR app. Though searching is only listed for primary headsets, many other headsets are also supported through this application. (See supported headsets.) The SteamVR app helps to build the player space, suggests device updates, and offers solutions for troubleshooting technical difficulties.
Requirements: Windows, Mac, or Web Browser
Supported Headsets: HTC Vive (Pro and Cosmos Elite), Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Quest / Quest2 + Link Cable, Oculus Rift (S), Valve Index, etc.
Website: Steam
VIVEPORT
VIVEPORT is the app store for virtual reality content and experiences. Building on the fast growth and success of VR gaming, VIVEPORT features a wide range of VR experiences that inspire people to discover, create, connect, watch, and shop in VR.
VIVEPORT Infinity is a subscription which provides an all-access pass to hundreds of VR games, apps and videos. This provides unlimited access to games and exclusive offers for purchases for $11 – $17 per month depending on the subscription plan.
Games are launched directly through the SteamVR app. Though searching is only listed for primary headsets, many other headsets are also supported through this application. (See supported headsets.) The SteamVR app helps to build the player space, suggests device updates, and offers solutions for troubleshooting technical difficulties.
Requirements: Windows, Mac, or Web Browser
Supported Headsets: HTC Vive (Pro and Cosmos Elite), Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Quest / Quest2 + Link Cable, Oculus Rift (S), Valve Index, etc.
Website: VIVEPORT
VRFocus
This is a UK-based website which focuses on gathering trending VR experiences. Browse categories based on your available headset to explore games available for the headset which have been reviewed by others. Games cannot be downloaded through this website.
Requirements: Web Browser
Supported Headsets: Oculus (Rift, Quest and Go), HTC (Vive, Pro, Focus, Cosmos), Playstation VR, Valve Index, Google Daydream, Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR
Website: VRFocus
WEARVR
WEAREVR is the world’s leading independent Virtual Reality App store. Hosting over 3,500 VR games and experiences, there are many opportunities available for a wide range of head-mounted displays.
Requirements: Web Browser
Supported Headsets: Oculus (Go, Quest, and Rift), Pimax, HTC VIVE, Playstation VR, , OSVR (), Samsung Gear VR, Daydream View, iOS and Android (Durovis Dive, Homido, Google Cardboard, Carl Zeiss VR One, CMOAR, Fibrum, Opto, Firefly VR)
Website: WEARVR