When the Academy of Whole Learning, a K–12 private school in Minnesota for students with autism spectrum disorder and individual learning needs, introduced virtual reality technology in their classrooms, students could not contain their excitement.

Using Lenovo VR headsets and Google Expeditions, they took a tour across the world — from the Great Barrier Reef to the North Pole — without ever having to leave their classroom.

Kade Drechsler, a middle school teacher at the school, tells EdTech that the immersive VR experience helped students stay focused and engaged during their lessons. The experience blocked out any classroom distractions and made students feel as if they were actually in the environment they were exploring.

It also gave students an opportunity to practice social skills. “It’s great to see how they build friendships through these virtual experiences,” Drechsler says.