Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about VR in schools, how to plan virtual field trips or using Seymour & Lerhn in your classroom?
You’re in the right place!
Virtual Reality aka VR
Virtual Reality (VR) is the full virtual experience; the world is entirely virtual and is immersive enough to make you forget about the real world around you!
VR has actually been around for longer than you might think, going back as far as the early 1960’s. The first real boom came about in the early 1990’s, but the technology did not meet the hype, and consumer demand dropped. By the time 2010 rolled around, technology had caught up and Palmer Luckey introduced the Oculus Rift. Perhaps in part due to the failure of VR in the 1990’s, the rollout has been somewhat cautious with VR slowly and carefully easing into everyday use.
360 aka Fishtank VR
When we think of VR, we tend to think of headsets, goggles and YouTube videos of people falling over. However, there is another, lesser known term – Fishtank VR.
Rather than VR headsets, this type of VR focusses on shared and accessible experiences. Viewers experience a full 360 environment which can be static, video, real-world, CGI or a mixture of them all. Users cannot move through the environment independently and are fixed to a location, but content can be delivered across multiple platforms, from YouTube to TV and even un-tethered VR headsets.
This flexibility generally means Fishtank VR can be offered at a lower cost with lower initial investments.
Augmented Reality aka AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is an overlay of digital content in the real world. This can add a layer of information, dress you in historic costume or plant an object like the Apollo 11 Eagle Lunar Lander right in front of your eyes. Although the digital content can react to changes or movements in the real world, the two are not able to interact with each other at a more advanced level.
Although there are headsets on the horizon, for now, the most common use of AR is via apps on the humble mobile phone and tablet.
Mixed Reality aka MR
Mixed Reality (MR) is the merging of real and virtual environments which are able to interact with each other in real-time.
As these terms are still all very new, the definitions are still fairly fluid. As technology evolves, AR is becoming much more advanced, enabling a higher level of interaction between the real and virtual worlds. As such, it’s probable that AR (as the more widely known term) will soon reach a level in-line with MR, and the name ‘Mixed Reality’ will simply disappear in favour of Augmented Reality.
eXtended Reality aka XR
XR is the term which brings all these ‘R’s together!
Extended Reality is an umbrella under which VR/AR/MR/360 all sit. Until recently, the focus has been primarily VR and AR. Although XR has been around for a number of years, it has not yet reached mainstream use.
As technology develops beyond these early definitions, our uses will start to branch in different directions, requiring either more terms for new tools, or simply consolidating everything into one – XR.
VR allows you to experience things you never could in the real world, immersing you in an entirely virtual world – in education, this means you can transport your pupils back in time to the WW1 trenches; children develop a deeper understanding and empathy and their learning is richer as a result.
We often think of VR as high-tech, expensive or just for gamers. In reality, there are a number of options from specialist VR headsets for schools to low cost bolt-on VR experiences, and even free 360 experiences available on YouTube.
Try opening your next classroom topic with an immersive 360 video on YouTube. This can be used on PC or tablet, or even in VR mode with a low-cost Google Cardboard or equivalent. VR can be a fantastic way to engage your pupils in the lesson, giving them a real thirst to discover more once they have experienced something for themselves.
With Seymour & Lerhn, we specialise in providing low-cost, accessible but incredibly detailed VR, AR & 360, so you can take your pupils on a journey of discovery using the hardware you already own.
Mostly, yes. There has been no significant evidence to suggest VR is dangerous for children, but manufacturers are taking the cautious approach. Most advise against use by young children, with Oculus giving an age rating of 13+.
Whilst concerns centre around the impact on eye development, visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) and a reduced awareness of dangers in the real world, the reality is, we just don’t yet know enough to be certain.
If you choose to use VR with your class, try an activity in pairs with one pupil describing to the other to limit the amount of time within the headset, and mix up the activities so that children are only using the headsets for a few minutes at a time.
Deciding not to use VR headsets does not mean you are limited from interative content. There are a number of options from specialist VR headsets for schools to low cost bolt-on VR experiences, and even free 360 experiences available on YouTube.
Try opening your next classroom topic with an immersive 360 video on YouTube. This can be used on PC or tablet, or even in VR mode with a low-cost Google Cardboard or equivalent. VR can be a fantastic way to engage your pupils in the lesson, giving them a real thirst to discover more once they have experienced something for themselves.
With Seymour & Lerhn, we specialise in providing low-cost, accessible but incredibly detailed VR, AR & 360, so you can take your pupils on a journey of discovery using the hardware you already own.
AR can be a fantastic way to add excitement to your lesson. There are a huge number of AR apps available, many of them absolutely free.
With a wide range of activities available, from internal organs to bringing colouring pages to life, you are sure to find an AR activity to compliment your topic.
You will need a tablet or smartphone which has a camera and is AR compatible (don’t worry – most modern tech is!). Simply download the app, print off your references and hold up your camera.
Once subscribed, you will gain access to a huge library of virtual tours generated in line with the UK National Curriculum.
Virtual tours are immersive virtual locations, a bit like Google Streetview. Sink into the WW1 trenches, shrink down to the size of a dust mite or get up close and personal with bacteria, travel through the ages and see the changes in a typical British home…
We provide educational experiences you simply couldn’t do in the real world!
No – but we’re confident you won’t need us to!
We’ve created a unique system delivering immersive content from our simple-to-use platform without the need for any new hardware or training. Everything is delivered online, from the content to support. This is how we keep our costs so low.
Visit the Demo Hub to explore our free tours, and experience for yourself just how simple the platform is to use. When you’re ready to start your subscription, simply subscribe online for instant access to the full content.
To access the tours you must first have a subscription.
Primary and secondary schools
EYFS
Lerhn at Home
MuseumsIf you are signed up you need to log in to your account.
Once you are logged in, click on the HUB button in the account section to take you to your accessible tours. From here you can choose your subject and navigate the tours.
We are constantly updating our tours with new content and enhancements to keep them fresh and exciting! As the curriculum changes, so will our tours, so you can be confident that you are always looking at the most up-to-date educational content and information.
Simply put, no.
Seymour & Lerhn is different to other systems because all of our tours work with what you already have. We know budgets are tight, that’s why we created a system ready to use with your tablets, PCs, phones, smartboards, games console browsers…
For individuals wanting a full VR experience, we recommended the Google Cardboard or similar, which are readily available to buy online and on the high street.
Nope! All of our tours are super easy to use. Just log in, navigate through to the tour you want, and away you go. The tours are all web-based and do not require any special hardware.
If you do struggle, your subscription includes support. Just give us a call and we’ll get you up and running in no time.
Seymour & Lerhn is a fun play on words. Try saying it aloud…
We think that is this day and age, fun and immersive educational technology should be accessible to everyone! That’s why we’ve developed a system which is engaging, educational and exciting without the hefty price tag of some education VR. We’re levelling the playing field if you like, so you can see more & learn!
Yes please! We welcome suggestions for new tours and feedback on existing tours. If your suggestion is approved, it can take a while for new tours to be generated and we have to check all of our tours for accuracy before they are released, so it may be a while before you see your idea on the website.
Yes, but we hope it won’t come to that!
We continually update our tours to keep them fresh and exciting, but if you want to cancel, just head over to your account page to cancel. Your subscription will continue until the end of the billing period, but after this time you will no longer have access to the virtual tours.
We are unable to refund partial billing periods once these have been charged. Subscriptions can only be cancelled from the next billing period onwards.
Ask us anything!
If you have another question, idea or feedback, just get in touch with us by email, phone or by using the contact form below.
