Meet Elegan Kramer
Elegan Kramer serves as the Director of Instructional Technology and Digital Literacy at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS), a private suburban high school in Saint Louis, Missouri. Now in her second year in this role, Elegan is passionate about helping teachers integrate technology meaningfully into their classrooms. Her background as a former science teacher and distance learning developer has shaped her innovative approach to education.
Elegan’s mission is to empower educators and students by transforming how technology is used in learning. With a keen interest in VR, she’s leveraging tools like Zoe Immersive to turn students from passive consumers of content into active participants within the virtual world.
Zoe gives students the opportunity to be creators in VR, not just consumers. That’s what excites me the most about integrating it into our curriculum.
Introducing VR at MICDS
Although VR isn’t yet fully implemented across her institution, Elegan has already made strides by introducing VR headsets to both students and teachers. The devices are often used for field trip-like experiences, allowing students to explore and learn in immersive environments.
Elegan’s participation in the Zoe Creator Program has been instrumental in taking this further. She notes that Zoe stands out because it provides a platform for students to design and build their own interactive experiences, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Exploring Sustainability Through VR
Elegan’s first project using Zoe focuses on sustainability and the impact of human choices on ocean ecosystems. The idea was inspired by a family fishing trip over Labor Day weekend, where she engaged her young children in a conversation about overfishing and conservation.
Her VR experience begins underwater, where students are introduced to an abundant marine ecosystem. Participants make decisions about fishing practices, such as how many fish to catch. If they overfish, they see the long-term consequences on the ecosystem. Alternatively, the simulation explores pollution and other environmental factors, demonstrating the complex choices required to maintain ocean sustainability.
This project not only teaches students about environmental science but also engages them in interactive storytelling, enabling critical decision-making.
Future Plans: Rube Goldberg Machines in VR
Elegan envisions expanding VR applications by integrating engineering concepts. One idea she’s excited about is using Zoe to design Rube Goldberg machines. Traditionally, creating these intricate contraptions requires sourcing large amounts of physical materials, but VR allows students to experiment and build in a limitless digital environment.
By using Zoe’s interaction tools, students can simulate simple machines, manipulate virtual components, and bring their creations to life—all while deepening their understanding of physics and engineering principles.
With Zoe, students learn to create their own experiences, developing digital literacy and problem-solving skills along the way.
Benefits of Student-Created Content
Elegan believes that having students create their own VR experiences fosters deeper learning and empathy. By designing lessons or simulations, students not only gain technical skills but also consider the needs and perspectives of their audience. “Creating is a much richer experience than using pre-made content,” she explains. “It encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation.”
Advice for Educators
For educators hesitant to dive into VR, Elegan offers encouragement: “Just try something new. Start small and explore the possibilities. Creating in VR can engage students in ways traditional methods can’t.” She emphasizes that even those prone to motion sickness, like herself, can build tolerance over time and fully enjoy the creative process.
Her advice includes:
- Begin with simple prototypes and gradually increase complexity.
- Focus on interaction to make learning engaging and memorable.
- Use platforms like Zoe to eliminate the steep learning curve associated with coding.
Looking Ahead
Elegan plans to continue integrating VR into MICDS’ curriculum, encouraging students to explore new ideas and challenge themselves. With Zoe Immersive, she’s confident that VR can inspire creativity, deepen engagement, and transform education.
Zoe Immersive isn’t just a platform—it’s a catalyst for redefining education in VR. Whether you’re an educator, student, or creator, Zoe opens doors to uncharted creative landscapes.
Ready to bring your ideas to life in VR? Explore the Zoe platform today and start building the future. Apply for our Zoe Creator Program, which runs periodically throughout the year and is designed to take you through building your first immersive experience from the ground up.