Students in Dalby are the first in Australia to benefit from agricultural learning technology, which explores cattle yards, cropping fields and tractors in virtual reality (VR).
Dalby State High School’s (DSHS) Bunya campus has been using the THRIVE platform as part of teaching for its agricultural certificate courses in years 11 and 12 and for its Special Educational program.
The emerging technology enables classes to trial farming activities and learn safety and animal handling skills before embarking on physical work.
The not-for-profit Endeavour Foundation, in partnership with Arrow Energy – and alongside students and teachers – last month launched the inclusive, educational video toolkit, comprising three agricultural-focussed modules . . .
1. Livestock (cattle, sheep and chickens)
2. Seeds to broadacre, and
3. Tools and machinery.
It will use this video alongside the disability service provider’s world-leading VR learning suite and its immersive agricultural education modules.
“The THRIVE platform is pioneering inclusive technology that prepares students of all abilities – including people with disability – for the world of agriculture,” said Endeavour Foundation’s service design manager Chris Beaumont.
“In a 2D video format, it allows students to learn at their own pace – in the classroom without a teacher and without being in the field – but shows real people in real agricultural scenarios without any physical contact.
“We are so grateful for Arrow Energy as, without its support, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
“The partnership is making such a huge difference to the lives of so many and not just in this area but further afield also.“
The THRIVE learning modules are linked to the Australian curriculum, helping students achieve their Certificate III goals in Innovate Agriculture.
Other schools will use it to further their year 11 and 12 curriculum education.
“When the student is ready and has completed the course of videos, workbooks and assessment guides, as well as the option of additional VR training, they can decide if they want to try the activities in real life or not,” Mr Beaumont said.
“We have three 15-minute videos, featuring Dalby students who inevitably will become mentors to the next generation of learners utilising this new-age tech.
“A teacher at Dalby State High was always telling us how Dalby has so many agricultural-based jobs and students who don’t understand farming and our rural connections.
“She said, ‘we’ve got so many jobs out here but kids with a disability are scared to be involved’. So, we hope to use virtual reality technology to our advantage.
“And, the virtual reality is repeatable so people can, with challenges with certain things, do it over and over to become comfortable and then ideally take those skills into the real world and turn that into a job.“
Dalby is the first school to integrate the education into its inclusive learning scope, with 11 other schools across the Surat Basin ready to join in and “thrive” shortly.
Dalby State High School students – and presenters of the videos – Paige and Alicia are skilled in the agricultural field but are excited the new tech enables less experienced students to safely explore opportunities.
“It’s pretty special to be a part of this video and to be able to help others learn about agriculture,” said Paige.
“I can definitely see how if you are nervous about being in the field or you’re just not ready to put the gloves on the video is a great way to gain confidence and get prepared at your own pace.”
DSHS Bunya campus deputy principal Brad Pharaoh is excited Dalby students can help lead the way in this innovative learning.
“Everyone learns differently and we absolutely celebrate that here,” he said.
“When it comes to agriculture, safety is a major factor, especially when learning and working with livestock and machinery.
“Plus, it’s an industry that can be noisy and of course physical. It’s great to know our students of all abilities can learn, investigate work opportunities and feel supported during the process.
“As a close farming community, this is a true collaboration of emerging education with next generation agricultural innovation.“
Endeavour community solutions group general manager Tom Mangan said while the VR was originally designed for people with a disability, the tech had far greater reach.
“… It’s a platform that clearly embraces everyone, bolstering confidence, skillset development and greater agricultural industry appreciation,“ Mr Mangan said.
“VR is not just the way of the future, it’s available to us right now – it’s inclusive, it’s immersive and it’s shaping how we learn, where we learn and ensuring we safely learn at the same time.“
DSHS first implemented VR learning in 2020, focusing on travel safety, as well as a driving module to help introduce age-appropriate students to navigating a car.
* To find out more about Endeavour Foundation’s services, go to endeavour.com.au or call 1800 112 112.
Fast facts
• Endeavour Foundation has launched another Australian-first in inclusive educational technology.
• The new agriculture THRIVE video learning modules will run in conjunction with Endeavour’s world leading VR learning suite.
• The inclusive, educational video toolkit consists of three ag-focussed modules including: Livestock (cattle, sheep and chickens) / seeds to broadacre / and tools and machinery.
• THRIVE consists of videos, workbooks and assessment guides and are aligned to the Australian curriculum, helping students to achieve certificate III in Innovate Agriculture or to complete year 11/12.
