Cloud-Based VR Authoring Tool with xAPI Capability Launched
Dunfermline (SCT), March 2021 - Digital learning and assessment specialists eCom have launched a virtual reality (VR) authoring tool specifically designed for use in learning and assessment. Called eNetReality™, the tool has been successfully tested in the fields of education, construction, and medicine - and is continuing to be trialled by a pilot group of organisations in the academic, charity, and public sectors.
Developed by eCom USA Learning Solutions - a sister company of eCom Scotland - eNetReality was developed specifically to help a college working with disadvantaged students to make a learning experience more accessible. Tanya MacDonald, who heads up eCom's eNetReality development team explained, "Working with the college, we developed an immersive experience to deliver the required assessment via VR. This allowed the college to deliver its qualification assessment up to standard with in-person experiences and the flexibility to deliver anywhere, even offline. This not only increased the number of participants who completed the program, but also helped us recognize the tool's wider application."
After doing this, eCom decided to combine the knowledge and expertise it had gained about VR and add them to its ability to create eLearning authoring tools to create a VR authoring tool that "non-technical" people could use to create their own VR learning and assessment experiences. The result is a cloud-delivered tool that delivers its output across any device, from a headset (for a fully immersive experience) to a smartphone (via a companion app) or even, if required, a YouTube upload.
"Being cloud based, there's no need for designers to download the tool," said Tanya. "It can work with any SCORM-compliant learning management system - including, of course, eCom's own LMS. eNetLearn®. Moreover, since it has xAPI capability, it can produce highly granular reports - indeed, to whatever level is required."
The eNetReality pilot group in the UK includes Liverpool-based Open Awards and education colleges in Fife, West Lothian, and Wolverhampton, along with support from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Commenting, the Director of the Faculty of Creative Industries at Fife College, Douglas McMillan, said, "We're finding that eNetReality offers a great user experience and helps us track the outcome of each student's assessment."
eCom is Cyber Essentials Plus certified and its suite of digital learning and assessment products including eNetReality is available via G-Cloud 12 - the UK government's framework for cloud-delivered ICT goods and services on the Digital Marketplace.
