Should Primary Schools be adopting XR Technologies | Warren Fearn | TEDxDoncaster

In his Doncaster TEDx Talk Warren Fearn discusses the potential of extended realities (XR) to revolutionise education, focusing on Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

Warren shares his journey from working in 3D graphics at the BBC to developing AR tools for primary science education, having successfully won an Epic Mega Grant.

Warren's initial research shows that AR can enhance learning by making it more engaging and memorable, though challenges like teacher confidence and accessibility remain.

Warren encourages the adoption of XR in schools, emphasising its potential to transform education for the better when technology is placed in the right hands. Warren began his career as a ‘Virtual Set Designer’ developing 3D virtual environments for television – this included working on the first children’s interactive television programme, BamZooki. Over time, he transferred into the BBC 3DFX department concentrating on 3D motion graphics and art direction while achieving several PROMAX awards and being nominated for an Emmy Award. After several years, he set up his own 3D creative company (WAK Studios) working on commercials and visualisations for companies such as WWF, SKY, FELLOWES, NHS and many more. During this period, he established WAK Educate working alongside education to teach both primary and secondary schools new forms of 3D technologies and served as a Member of the Secondary School Education Panel for Autodesk producing online STEAM curriculum for schools in the USA and UK. Warren now lectures at York St John University and is the programme leader for all postgraduate design courses. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx