Rockwell Helping Connect Today's Students with 3D Technology

Virtual Reality Entering Classrooms Because of Iowa Companies

Justin Foss KCRG

The newest way to learn requires 3-D glasses, and superintendents across Eastern Iowa are showing interest.

"You're in it, you manipulate it, you're trying it,” said Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent Pam Ewell.

Rockwell Collins is leading a push to get virtual reality systems in every Iowa school in the near future. So far, they’ve got systems either installed or about to be installed in eleven schools.

In part, Rockwell and other companies like John Deere are helping because of concern about the future.

“For students going into engineering, enrollment has continued to decrease. That’s a problem for industries like ours,” said Jack Harris, Director of Advanced Manufacturing Technology at Rockwell Collins.

These systems allow students and workers to literally put their hands on ideas and concepts, and in return, Harris said they end up understanding it better.

Virtual reality systems allow people to experiment with ideas, without the cost of actually doing it. It’s that cost savings and 21st century appeal that has school superintendents very curious.

These tools aren't just for technology related teaching. It can also help you give a speech by presenting an audience on screen. And that audience can change from quiet and attentive to outright rude.

The first schools to get the systems are getting hand-me-downs from the companies, including the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. But to buy new, those systems would cost $30,000 to $80,000. In response, Harris and his team have developed a system for $2,500. And many schools are applying for grants to pay for it.

With school budgets shrinking, some tax payers still question the expense.

"And there are some that do say that, but when they see the results that are going on with the students, that seems to change,” said Harris.

In one school near Des Moines, teachers said some students improved a whole grade point in math and science.

"Can we afford not to? I think that's the next question,” said Ewell.

The Iowa Department of Economic Development is helping build the system. Harris said he got a $250,000 grant to help with maintenance of the current system.