USING virtual reality in education was the topic of discussion as colleges across Berkshire came together last month for Colleges Week 2024.

Staff from Windsor Forest Colleges Group attended a special event at Reading College, on Wednesday, February 28, to examine how artificial intelligence can be used in further education.

The event was run by Activate Learning - an Oxford-based company who owns a number of colleges and schools across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

Staff took part in a discussion around so-called 'extended reality' in further education, an umbrella term used to describe human interactions with the digital world.

Matt Clack, digital development manager at Activate Learning, gave a presentation about the use of AI in FE and what is and what isn't working.

A spokesman for Activate Learning said there are limited funding resources available for further education as many of the assets are either aimed at children or university students.

Attendees then had the opportunity to trial virtual reality headsets while checking out Reading College's training centre where students can virtually test out difference scenarios as part of their studies.

The group were also shown a new AI tool called - Teachermatic - which aims to help teachers with planning and teaching.