VR for Education Advocate | Teacher | Innovator Dave Dolan
I have been teaching since 1989 and hold a Masters in TESOL. After establishing an English school in Japan in 1993, my interests grew towards using technology to best serve the needs of students. I've worked in the development of digital books, LMSs and VR. Rather than following trends like app development and ePubs, I've always looked outside the box for real solutions for real-world, educational needs. From library subscription needs in Japan, to bringing technology to a small, rural school in Kenya via an inexpensive, Raspberry Pi, the key is cost effectiveness, well-produced educational materials, and viability. Dare I say SENSIBLE solutions. Hence, the name of this company. Bridging the gap between technology and the classroom will always be my focus. Hailing from Canada and based in Japan, I understand that educational needs must remain a focus, first and always.
Dave on LinkedIn
Email
admin [at] sensible-vr [dot] com
Core Principles
If you read through this site, and watch the videos, you will soon learn what I am all about, and by extension, what Sensible-VR (SVR) is all about.
As a brief summary:
- VR must bring value, with the true value being focused attention
- SVR keys in on distraction-free, judgement-free learning (not all VR does)
- Admin needs something that brings more value than the money spent
- Teachers need something easy (they don't want to be technicians!)
- IT needs something easy to set up, and doesn't require their time to maintain
- It must be accessible to students worldwide (offline and localized to their language)
- Designed with special needs students in mind
I have been in schools and classrooms in South Africa, China, India, Sri Lanka, Germany, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, St. Lucia, Qatar, Taiwan, Dubai, the US, and possibly a few more. I understand the reality of delivering education into the best, and most difficult, of these places. I know what works, and more importantly, what doesn't.
With respect to VR, I have been in this industry since 2016. I assisted in the creation of the STEM modules created by Veative VR (now defunct), as well as their virtual tours. With a strong language learning background, I spearheaded the introduction of a derivative ELL course, created by an Asian company, into the platform, with the help and guidance of Dr. Andy Curtis. With deep connections to, and working relationships with, many of the leading companies within the realm of VR in education, I have a unique position within this sector. Some of the companies I have consulted, worked with, or built a rapport with include:
- UNICEF, Lenovo, HTC, DPVR, Pico, Microsoft,Google, Amazing People
- ClassVR, FutuClass, RedBoxVR, VRTY, Umety, Veative, VDEX
- Engage, Discovery, Net Dragon, UltraLeap, Mimbus, CareerView, 360Cities
- InspiritVR, PIXO VR, Body Swaps, Arbor XR, Manage XR, Wild Immersion
There are many more. The point is that no one can work in a silo within this industry, as content, hardware, platform, and management of all of these pieces needs to work in harmony. As a decades-long resident of Japan, I have a deep sense of the concept of harmony... 和 (wa).
