"You can watch a video on YouTube or read a book but to actually be experiencing something in proportion just makes such a difference in a learning perspective."
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That's what Optus Territory General Manager for NSW Central Region Tom O'dea says is one of the beneficial points of learning in a virtual reality space.
As part of the eight day On the Road with Optus tour, the digit coach made a stop at Mudgee Public School on May 22.
Students were gifted with the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects by way of virtual reality, augmented reality and drone training.
"STEM is one of the most important things for future generations to be getting into now," O'dea said.
The people we are taking through these exercises and programs are all going to be the future leaders and scientists of the world.
- Tom O'dea
The Optus bus visits eight regional and rural community across Central NSW every three months to provide access to these advanced types of learning that is otherwise difficult to come by.
"Sometimes regional and rural kids don't have access to programs like this so it's really important to bring programs like this to regional and rural communities to provide that access and hopefully spark some interest in STEM subjects," O'dea told.
"We are part of the community and we would like to give back to communities that we operate in and who support us."
Mudgee Public students were taken on a virtual reality tour of the solar system and the international space station.
"We have been very fortunate to have the Optus virtual reality bus visit our school," Mudgee Public School principal Alan Kerr said.
It's been a wonderful opportunity to give students the chance to look at the world in virtual reality.
- Alan Kerr
The tour will return to regional and rural communities in August, 2019.