Episode Details

Presented by Joseph DiLucente, Superintendent, East Allegheny School District (PA); Dr. Freedom Cheteni, Editor in Chief, The Superintendent’s Journal, and Superintendent and Board Member, The VR School, Stanford University; and Tom Davis, Advisory Board Member and Consultant, Center for Educational Innovation and Classroom of the Future Foundation

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by Immersive Reality USA, GBCStories, and The VR School.

The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.

As immersive reality and interactive 3D learning experiences become more common in K-12 instruction, educators and school leaders are exploring where these technologies may have the greatest impact on student engagement, access, retention, and curiosity across diverse learning environments. This edWeb podcast explores how interactive 3D curricula and immersive learning environments work together to create engaging learning experiences by examining the instructional differences between traditional digital content and immersive experiences that foster a greater sense of presence.

Listeners hear from a superintendent who led an early district implementation of immersive, headset-free learning environments in both general and special education classrooms, alongside an expert in immersive learning and an education strategist who works with school districts on educational technology implementation. Together, they explore how interactive 3D curricula and immersive learning environments complement one another, what these approaches look like in practice across grade levels, and how district leaders can evaluate whether they are the right fit for their schools.

Listeners leave the session able to:

• Explain how immersive reality and 3D curricula differ from traditional video, VR headsets, and other educational technology tools, and how presence impacts learning outcomes
• Identify practical examples of immersive reality supporting general education, special education, and sensory-diverse learners
• Evaluate readiness factors, including budget, infrastructure, staff buy-in, and instructional design, before piloting immersive reality in a district or school
• Apply lessons learned from an early-adopter district to their own planning and stakeholder conversations

Listeners leave with a practical framework for evaluating the instructional impact of immersive learning initiatives, key implementation considerations for their own schools or districts, and lessons learned from an early-adopter district. This edWeb podcast is of interest to elementary through high school teachers, school leaders, district leaders, special education teachers, education technology leaders, and community college professors.

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