BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Bethlehem Area School Board committee on Monday announced plans to spend $150,000 to put an immersive learning system in Freedom High School's library.
The technology could create "endless content," featuring customizable video, a 360-degree camera, many options to overlay content and even a potential smell library, the committee was told.
- District officials said they’ll meet with a vendor Tuesday regarding the next steps to install an immersive learning experience
- The technology could create "endless content," featuring customizable video, a 360-degree camera, many options to overlay content and even a potential smell library
- The school district is scheduled to approve the estimated $150,000 purchase April 24
Assistant Superintendent Jack Silva said at a meeting of the board's Curriculum Committee that some examples of the system’s uses could include taking students inside a stomach during a lesson on digestion, and even giving them a front-row seat at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton present.
Silva said the technology could be an academic and behavioral game-changer for the district.
“We’re talking about a space which could be used for a classroom, that could be used for academic purposes, it can be used for emotional purposes."Jack Silva, BASD assistant superintendent and chief academic officer
“We’re talking about a space which could be used for a classroom, that could be used for academic purposes," Silva said. "It can be used for emotional purposes."
A districtwide opportunity
District Chief Technology Officer Marie Bachman said the district consulted with a variety of entities that have experience working with such technology, including health and safety organizations as well as K-12 and higher education institutions.
“After doing the reference checks, we did actually have two vendors demonstrate their products,” Bachman said. “And we believe that one emerged as something that the vendor entity software will align best for our district and for our teachers to use to develop and share that content.”
The school's present Wellness Center is focused on certain subjects, while the new system would key in on a number of subjects and potentially include the elementary pupils and others districtwide, Bachman said.
Superintendent Joseph Roy said he supports the investment, saying it could make students learn as a group more effectively than by using other similar options.
He said that virtual reality headsets are innovative, but too singular for expanding lessons across a classroom setting.
“And that’s what I like about this is it brings that virtual reality experience, but you’re experiencing it with others.”Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy
“So much now we can learn online, so we lose the social piece of learning — learning together — and that is best when it’s tied to social learning,” Roy said.
“And that’s what I like about this. It brings that virtual reality experience, but you’re experiencing it with others.”
The board plans to approve buying the system on April 24.
In other action, the committee approved a proposal from Western Pest Services for pest and rodent control services, extending from 2023-24 through 2027-28. The cost is expected to not exceed $79,680.
The proposal also will be part of the agenda at the board’s April 24 meeting.
