Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are mainstream technologies having a direct impact on the way educators teach and train today’s youth to be tomorrow’s workforce. This message is among the themes leaders in education and technology will discuss when they gather for the Virtual Reality and Higher Education Symposium August 10 in Boston.

The daylong conference at Maggiano’s Little Italy in downtown Boston is produced by VR Voice, a content vertical on all things virtual reality, and sponsored by Creating IT Futures, a charity dedicated to helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers.

“Today’s teachers are embracing advanced technology to improve the educational process and raise the level of engagement among their students,” said Eric Larson, Senior Director of IT Futures Labs, one of Creating IT Futures’ signature initiatives. “Virtual and augmented reality are playing a crucial role in this evolution by inspiring young people to use and experiment with innovative technology, which can prompt them to consider careers in IT.”

A featured speaker at the symposium, Larson will stress the importance of creating a work-based learning continuum from middle school through adulthood. Larson also will share material from “How to Launch Your Teen’s Career in Technology: A Parent’s Guide to the T in STEM Education,” a book written by Charles Eaton, CEO of Creating IT Futures, and published by VR Voice founder Robert Fine through Cool Blue Media.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Creating IT Futures. This symposium is the first of its kind to bring together professionals from the higher education sector with individuals and companies that are building VR/AR applications with them in mind,” Fine said.

Futurist and Forbes contributor Charlie Fink will kick-off the symposium with an overview of the current VR/AR market.

“Today’s virtual and augmented reality technology has created a virtual classroom, where students from around the world can meet and learn together,” Fink said. “In this virtual space, these global students experience history, science and mathematics as three-dimensional concepts. They can visit the outer reaches of the solar system, travel to Antarctica or take a journey inside the human heart. This is not science fiction. This is real and is happening now.”

Larson, Fine and Fink are among more than a dozen speakers participating in the event, including:

• Lynn Rogoff, Founder & CEO, Amerikids USA
• Dr. Justin Barad, Orthopedic Surgeon, Founder & CEO, OSSO VR
• Maria Kadison, President & CEO, EdwardsCo.com
• Rob Cloutier, CEO, Digital History
• Eric Williams, Associate Professor, Game Research & Immersive Lab Design, Ohio University

Among topics discussed during the conference will be:

• “Realizing Surgical Skill with Virtual Training”
• “How Immersive 360-degree Video Can be Used for Virtual Professional Education”
• “Virtual Reality Therapy: Aiding the College Student”
• “Teaching and Engaging with History through VR”

Register for the Virtual Reality and Higher Education Symposium here. The event is third in a series of vertically-focused conferences presented by VR Voice this year. Upcoming events include:

• VR & Construction/Real Estate Symposium October 26 in Washington, D.C.
• VR & Defense/Public Safety Symposium November 9 in Washington, D.C.
• VR for Good Summit November 17 in Washington, D.C.

About Creating IT Futures
Founded in 1998 by CompTIA, Creating IT Futures is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at CreatingITfutures.org.

About VR Voice
The Virtual Reality and Higher Education Symposium is part of a series of vertical conferences focused on industries where the average person will begin to notice changes in their lives today. The impact of these changes will extend to many industries over time and VR Voice plans to continue to highlight these changes. It is organized by Washington, DCbased Cool Blue Media.