Hardware

Review: Stimulate Creativity with the HTC VIVE Focus 3 Virtual Reality Headset

This powerful tool can enhance student engagement and foster immersive learning.

Buzz Garwood, the technology teacher at Home Gardens Academy in Corona, Calif., blogs and produces videos for EdTech magazine. Follow him at @buzzgarwood and check out his blog.

Adopting virtual reality technology in K–12 can enhance student engagement, foster immersive learning and support interactive environments that stimulate curiosity and creativity.

Recently, my middle school technology students and I spent a few weeks with the VIVE Focus 3 virtual reality headset. In a nutshell, HTC pairs a comfortable-fitting headset with two ergonomic controllers. When combined with high-quality educational content and eye-catching graphics, the verdict is unanimous: We want one for our classroom.

Unlike some VR headsets that must be tethered to a PC, the VIVE Focus 3 is a stand-alone headset, which makes it easy to set up and use in various classroom environments without the need for additional cameras, sensors, base stations, wires or computers. Designed with a rugged build, the headset can withstand the demands of a typical classroom environment.

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The VR headset boasts a high-resolution display (5K with 2448x2448 pixels per eye) and a 90-hertz refresh rate, providing clear and smooth visuals. This is a must for using immersive learning experiences while reducing eyestrain. Its patented dual-driver speaker design delivers 3D spatial sound.

For total immersion, a high-resolution 3.5-millimeter audio jack is available.

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VIVE Focus 3’s Headset Focuses on Comfort and Ease

Three of my favorite features of the VIVE Focus 3 have to do with the device’s comfort. First, it’s easy for students to dial in their ideal viewing setups by simply turning a knob on the front of the headset. This also allows users to adjust their inter-pupillary distance, from 57 millimeters to 72mm.

The headset also has an active cooling mechanism. Although it’s not the quietest system, it does a good job cooling the face and keeping the glass from fogging up.

My third favorite feature is the innovative quick-release button. During testing, students were able to quickly share the device by simply pressing the button at the rear of the headset. Users can then easily adjust the headset by tightening or loosening the knob.

Custom Applications Offer Students Multiple Engaging Ways to Learn

The VIVE Focus 3 headset’s compatibility with various educational VR platforms and its ability to access and deploy custom VR applications make it a versatile tool for different subjects and learning objectives.

As a 3D modeling and animation teacher, I was especially impressed with an app called Gravity Sketch that allows users to create, share and collaborate on design ideas in a virtual studio.

I found that when I sketched with Gravity Sketch, the visualization provided by the app helped me visualize the object in a much more delightful way than merely sketching on a desktop computer. The first time I stood up and literally walked behind the 3D object I created in VR was an unbelievable feeling.

I also liked the Open Brush app, which gives students access to a digital canvas where they can draw in 3D using an assortment of brushes. The virtual dissection apps are a great way to use the VIVE Focus 3 in science class. The educational purposes for the headset are indeed endless.

Enterprise Tools Help Deploy, Manage and Monitor Multiple Headsets

The school district’s IT department will appreciate HTC’s enterprise management tools for the VIVE Focus 3. These tools enable easy deployment, management and monitoring of multiple headsets, ensuring that educators can focus on teaching rather than technical issues. Additionally, HTC provides enterprise support, ensuring that any technical issues can be promptly addressed, minimizing downtime.

Although the two controllers hold their charge much longer than the headset, I was able to get about two hours (as advertised) of continuous use out of the headset before the battery depleted. The compartment pops off with ease to reveal a swappable battery.

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In the school environment, however, where a typical class period lasts under one hour, the device will only last a couple of periods, so it would be wise to have a few extra batteries on hand. In a pinch, the device can quickly charge up to 50% power in just 30 minutes. As sanitation is a consideration, it’s nice to know the magnetic face and rear cushions detach for quick cleaning and can be attached just as fast.

School administrators can also buy students personal cushions to provide even better hygiene when sharing the device.

As education continues to embrace digital innovation, investing in VR headsets can make lessons more dynamic and accessible while equipping students with essential skills for the modern world.

SPECIFICATIONS

RESOLUTION: 5K
REFRESH RATE: 90Hz
CONNECTIONS: Two USB 3.2 Gen-1 Type-C, Bluetooth 5.2 + BLE; Wi-Fi 6
FIELD OF VIEW: 120 degrees
AUDIO: Dual Microphones, dual drivers, 3.5 mm audio jack output
INPUT: Dual integrated microphones, headset button
BATTERY: 26.6Wh, removable and swappable

VIVE Focus 3 Allows Real-World Training

By far, my students’ favorite application is Open Brush, a 3D drawing app with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. The app fosters creativity like nothing I’ve ever seen. Every time I had a student try it, I practically had to pry it off their head.

However, with the training app, students can walk through a variety of real-world training exercises on a wide range of topics, such as first aid, wearing personal protective equipment, hazard assessment, maintenance, electrical safety and fire safety to name a few. It was easy to test the training modules: I signed up for a two-week free trial then easily downloaded each exercise in under a minute.

During testing, I took the fire training course. The moment I put on the VIVE 3, I was transported to a virtual office building. On-screen popups prompted me to locate the nearest exits, call boxes, fire alarm and fire extinguisher.

Next in the course, a fire broke out at a nearby breaker box. The tutorial prompted me through the necessary steps, including calling 911, speaking to the dispatcher, then picking up the fire extinguisher and putting out the fire.

In an educational environment, such as a school where time and resources are limited, it would be so helpful to have a VR experience available for both students and staff. Often, handbooks and training videos are boring and two-dimensional. Conversely, the hands-on nature of VR tutorials is immersive and therefore much more engaging.