NYT VR - New York Times

NYT VR is the New York Times' virtual reality viewing app. Download the app, then browse the available experiences: The first ones launched include an 11-minute video called "The Displaced" that featured the stories of three children whose families were displaced by war and conflict in Africa, the Middle East, and eastern Europe. Other videos take users inside a walk through New York City or on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border. There are also experiences created for advertisers including BMW Mini and GE. 

The experiences can be downloaded, which can take some time, or -- if you have the bandwidth -- streamed. From there, choose whether you'll use your device with or without a VR viewer (such as Google Cardboard). Either way, you'll want to use headphones. The experience will be viewable in all directions, and as you move your device you'll essentially see a 360-degree video while the narration plays. When text appears, it appears at three points in the experience -- to the left, to the right, and directly behind you -- so you'll catch the captions and subtitles no matter how you're oriented in the experience. The experiences run roughly between two and 11 minutes in length.

It's probably best not to have students try this standing up. If standing, they're likely to wander into a corner or stumble over a desk. Sitting on rotating stools, or even on the floor, might be the best way for students to experience the app. If you or your students haven't experienced VR before, it tends to be more immersive than many people expect. Some of the experiences can be emotionally affecting -- for example, as you find yourself standing beside a child as he runs through a refugee camp or perches on a wall near an old Soviet monument. There are some moments when viewers can catch the camera operator, which is surprisingly exciting and emotionally impressive on its own, serving as a reminder that you've immersed yourself so completely in someone else's world.

With all that in mind, the app isn't designed for classroom use, but with some creativity, you can make it fit. If you do, go for the engaging human-interest stories and avoid the advertisements. For educators, it would be great if NYT VR offered some peripheral lesson resources about perspective-taking and empathy -- at present teachers will be on their own to provide students with this kind of context. Take the time to incorporate some thoughtful discussion before and after using the app, and it could become a great way to provoke some thoughtful, in-depth discussions with your class.