In our conversations with schools and educational institutions, we increasingly hear about a growing problem: students struggling to travel independently using public transport. These limited mobility skills have far-reaching consequences, especially when it comes to internships and students' future careers.
We see that many students are uncertain about navigating public transport. They lack practical skills such as planning routes, understanding timetables, or estimating travel times. This not only limits their internship opportunities but also their personal development and future prospects.
As developers of educational technology, we asked ourselves: how can we address this problem? The result of our research and development is Virtual OV, an innovative VR platform that helps students develop practical travel skills in a safe, virtual environment.
Virtual OV offers a realistic simulation of public transport scenarios. Students can practice buying tickets, getting on and off, and even dealing with unexpected situations. The beauty is that they can do all this at their own pace, without the stress of a real public transport situation.
Of course, Virtual OV is not a standalone solution. It works best as part of a broader educational program. We encourage schools to integrate it into lessons on self-reliance or career orientation. Workshops where students can practice together have also proven to be very effective.
As developers, we strongly believe in the power of technology to improve lives. With Virtual OV, we aim to support education professionals in their mission to prepare students for a successful future. By deploying this innovative tool, we can work together towards a generation of students who step into the world with confidence.
We are curious about your thoughts and experiences. How do you see the role of technology in overcoming travel anxiety among students? Let's explore together how we can use Virtual OV to help every student reach their full potential.