Maine Department of Education to Host VR Expo for Educators

The Maine Department of Education wants to foster deeper learning by introducing virtual reality (VR) in the classroom. In June, the department is hosting an expo to familiarize educators with tools that facilitate immersive learning experiences.

The Virtual Reality Immersive Expo will take place at the Maine State Library, June 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Throughout the event, various academic institutions, schools, companies and organizations will hold 30-minute presentations showcasing VR tools that are already being used in classrooms. Participants include Nearpod, ThingLink, HP, Luccia, Bates College, the University of New England and many others. (The event website says the complete list of participants will be updated and to check back for a schedule of presentations.)

The York School Department, for example, will showcase virtual field trips on Google Expeditions. California-based tech firm zSpace will present its zSpace Learning Lab software, which combines virtual and augmented reality to deliver hundreds of learning activities.

Registration for the expo is free.

Featured

  • AI microchip, a cybersecurity shield with a lock, a dollar coin, and a laptop with financial graphs connected by dotted lines

    AWS Survey: Generative AI Surpasses Cybersecurity in 2025 Tech Budgets

    Global IT leaders are planning to spend more on generative artificial intelligence than cybersecurity in 2025, according to new research by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

  • computer science classroom featuring a desktop setup with code on the screen, a large wall display with charts, and a labeled book on a clean desk

    McGraw Hill Expands CTE Offerings

    Education company McGraw Hill has announced a host of new career and technical education courses, designed to help learners gain professional, technical, and academic skills for workforce success.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • soft-edged digital blocks and AI imagery on a muted background

    OpenAI Launches GPT-4.1, Offering Upgrades in Coding, Context Processing, Efficiency

    OpenAI has introduced GPT-4.1, offering stronger performance across software development, instruction following, and long-context comprehension.