360 Filmmakers Challenge

Digital Promise Global is partnering with Oculus to inspire the next generation of virtual reality creators — starting with high school students.

Virtual reality is transforming fields from medicine to journalism — and education, too. Through simulations and virtual field trips, virtual reality lets learners step into the shoes of a young girl in a refugee camp, investigate ocean acidification, witness the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, and more.

Yet learners can do more than consume content with these new technologies: they can also be creators. In the 360 Filmmakers Challenge (2016-2017), high school students used 360° video technology to share their communities, inspire action for change, and spur learning. This project was part of the Oculus VR for Good initiative, which aims to inspire the use of virtual reality and 360° video for social change.

Participating high schools received 360° video production equipment and ongoing support, including from professional filmmaker mentors. Through the process, students learned new technology and production skills, improved how they give and receive peer feedback, and developed their ability to identify and understand other perspectives. The Challenge concluded each semester with pop-up film showcases to celebrate students’ final products and a film competition to highlight the top videos.

By putting virtual reality and 360° video technology in the hands of learners, we invest in building their technical and creative skills for a changing economy. We also send the message that we value the challenges young people care about solving, and the stories they yearn to tell.

In the Fall 2016 program implementation, we undertook a documentation effort to explore the potential of the program to enable student learning and growth. Download Key Findings here and join us in the new global MY World 360º program as we work to inspire and support these immersive storytellers.