The Digital Making Places (DMP) and Virtual Reality (VR) pilot projects promote creative, hands-on work with digital technologies in schools. The aim is to give teachers and pupils the opportunity to independently try out innovative tools such as virtual reality, 3D printing and robotics and integrate them into lessons in a meaningful way.

In order to drive forward these processes relating to education in the digital world, the 33 centers for practical teacher training (ZfsL) and 45 municipal media centers (KMZ) across the country received a wide range of modern technology. The project is funded by the Ministry of Schools and Education of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with funds from the DigitalPakt Schule.

The Bonn Media Center was also equipped with technology as part of the pilot projects. This is presented once a month at the Makertreff in an informal setting and can be tried out together with the media center team. The first VR glasses are already in use at the schools. Teachers have received an introduction to the devices and are gaining their first practical experience in the classroom.

The DMP VR package includes the following creative areas:

• Audio: This is where podcasts, radio plays or music productions are created using modern recording technology.

• Visual: In this area, video projects are realized with professional equipment such as cameras, lighting and green screen technology.

• Haptic/Tinker: Creative design with 3D printers, laser cutters and embroidery machines enables handcrafted projects.

• Coding/Flex: Digital projects with robots, microcontrollers and powerful computers encourage programming and experimentation.

• Virtual reality glasses: The goggles enable impressive learning formats in immersive, virtual environments.

These learning spaces open up new perspectives for interdisciplinary and creative work. Behind this is a learning culture of making, in which the focus is on active engagement with real tasks and problem solving. The aim is to develop creative and action-oriented solutions and implement these in contemporary teaching concepts.