VR-SEN Project Kick-Off Meeting Held in Istanbul
On September 12-13, 2024, the Kick-Off Meeting for the VR-SEN Project: Improving Motor Skills in Special Needs Children through Virtual Reality Exercises was successfully conducted at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa. This meeting marked the official launch of the project, bringing together key partners from across Europe to align on project goals, timelines, and responsibilities.
Meeting Highlights:
- Introduction to the VR-SEN Project:
- Partners were introduced to the overarching objectives of the project, which focuses on developing an innovative Virtual Reality (VR) curriculum aimed at improving motor skills in children with special educational needs. The curriculum will offer personalized and immersive learning experiences tailored to both fine and gross motor skill development.
- Work Packages Overview:
- A comprehensive presentation was delivered on the five Work Packages (WP) that structure the project:
- WP1: Project Management: Led by Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, this package focuses on project coordination, timeline management, and overall quality assurance.
- WP2: Curriculum Development: Led by Akdeniz University, this work package will create VR exercises aimed at improving motor skills.
- WP3: Training and Capacity Building: Partners will develop training materials for educators to effectively integrate the VR curriculum into their teaching practices.
- WP4: Innovation and Evaluation: A focus on testing the VR curriculum in pilot schools and refining it based on feedback.
- WP5: Dissemination and Outreach: This workpackage will ensure the project’s results are widely shared across Europe.
- A comprehensive presentation was delivered on the five Work Packages (WP) that structure the project:
- Collaborative Planning Sessions:
- The partners engaged in breakout sessions to discuss specific activities, timelines, and deliverables. Action plans for the next six months were defined, focusing on:
- The development of the motor skill assessment framework.
- Initial steps for creating and testing the VR exercises.
- Coordination for the dissemination and communication strategies to raise awareness of the project and its outputs.
- The partners engaged in breakout sessions to discuss specific activities, timelines, and deliverables. Action plans for the next six months were defined, focusing on:
- Communication and Dissemination Strategy:
- A detailed communication plan was presented, outlining how project results will be shared with educators, policymakers, and the public. The VR-SEN project website will serve as the central hub for updates, resources, and curriculum materials.
- Next Steps:
- Partners agreed on the next key milestones, including:
- Completion of the motor skill needs assessment by Month 3.
- Development of a preliminary VR curriculum by Month 6.
- Preparation for the first transnational project meeting to review progress.
- Partners agreed on the next key milestones, including:
Looking Ahead:
The VR-SEN Kick-Off Meeting set a solid foundation for the project’s success. With clear goals and a strong collaborative spirit, the team is committed to developing VR-based educational tools that will have a lasting impact on the lives of children with special needs. We look forward to the next phases of the project and the exciting innovations to come.
For more information on the VR-SEN project and our upcoming activities, visit our Curriculum Development and Results sections.
