Virtual Reality
Explore eight unique Virtual Reality Tours designed to educate the community about water safety in a range of different aquatic environments. Each tour is complemented by curriculum aligned teaching resources.
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Virtual Reality
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Visiting the Beach
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Lifesaving Volunteers to the Rescue
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Responding to an Emergency
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Life on the Murray River
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Visiting a Farm
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Visiting a pool for swimming and water safety lessons
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Rip Current Safety
Virtual Reality (VR) tours are like going on a school excursion, without even leaving the classroom! VR is a simulated experience that utilises a series of 360o images to immerse viewers in another setting. VR tours are often viewed on a screen inside a headset, blocking out the viewers real surroundings and making it an immersive learning experience.
The VR Tours can be viewed.
Using a Smart Board, projector or individual tablet or phone
Using a VR headset or Google Cardboard (one headset and phone per student)
Visiting the Beach
This tour follows two friends, Anna from India and Rangi from Samoa. Anna and Rangi will visit popular beaches in Victoria, Australia. They will enjoy different activities like rock fishing, snorkelling and swimming. Beaches are wonderful places to visit but Anna and Rangi also need to be careful because there are some dangers. Anna and Rangi will share beach safety messages so that we all have a great and safe time at the beach.
Acknowledgements
LSV would like to acknowledge the following organisations who contributed to the development of this tour:
Victorian State Government, The Public Sector Innovation Fund
South Melbourne Life Saving Club
Victorian Fisheries Authority
Lifesaving Volunteers to the Rescue
This tour follows Hayden, one of Life Saving Victoria’s volunteer lifesavers and rescue swimmers for the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, during a rescue mission. The tour shows Hayden in various locations throughout the rescue; from the helicopter base, to the helicopter in mid-rescue. Through this tour we showcase the valuable contribution that volunteers make to society.
Teaching Resources
Following the tour, students can complete the activities below to consolidate learning.
| Level 3 & 4 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be become familiar with the important features of maps. They will create a simple map of their school and use a grid reference system to give the location of a hidden object for a classmate to find. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will reflect on the importance of volunteers in their own school and local communities. | English Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on the different forms of communication that they use. They will experiment with non-verbal communication to effectively convey a message. | Health and Physical Education |
| Activity 4PDF | Students will become familiar with the compass rose and use a large-scale map to experiment with giving and following directions. | Mathematics Geography |
| Download all ActivitiesPDF |
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be introduced to the concept of latitude and longitude. They will then use these coordinates to find locations within their local community via Google Maps. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will explore the role volunteers play in their school community, investigate opportunities to become volunteers themselves and hopefully choose to get involved! | Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will explore the location of aquatic environments in Victoria. They will use problem solving skills to work out response times for emergency services to reach their local beach. | Mathematics |
| Download all ActivitiesPDF |
| Level 7 & 8 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will collect, analyse and graphically represent data about the forecasted weather conditions for the coming week. They will reflect on how these conditions might affect an individual’s safety when undertaking water-based activities as well as how they would affect a rescue operation. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will find out about the role volunteers play in their community. They will develop a persuasive text, arguing for or against the statement ‘All Australians have the responsibility to give back to the community’. | English |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will learn about topographic maps and use their understanding of contour lines and other features of maps to identify the best path to the ocean for a land based rescue operation. | Geography |
| Download all ActivitiesPDF |
Acknowledgements
LSV would like to acknowledge the following organisations who contributed to the development of this tour:
The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service
Microflite
Ambulance Victoria
Telematics Trust
Everyday Lifesavers responding to an emergency
Anybody can be an Everyday Lifesaver; An Everyday Lifesaver is someone who has the knowledge and skills to help someone in an emergency. This tour covers the DRSABCD emergency response action plan and basic first aid. Having this knowledge is one way you can become an Everyday Lifesaver, while also being aware of potentially dangerous situations to prevent injuries and accidents.
Teaching Resources
Following the tour, students can complete the activities below to consolidate learning.
| Level 3 & 8 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will reflect on situations during their own lives where they might be the first responder in the event of an emergency and identify what they could do to help. | Health and Physical Education |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will revise DRSABCD and role play responses to different emergency situations. | Health and Physical Education |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on what they have learnt about how to respond in an emergency situation. They will design an activity to teach one of the concepts they have learnt to younger students. | Health and Physical Education |
Activity 4 |
The Everyday Lifesaver App uses gamification to make learning water safety, emergency response and CPR more engaging for students. Download the App and play now! | Health and Physical Education |
| Download all ActivitiesPDF |
Acknowledgements
LSV would like to acknowledge the following organisations who contributed to the development of this tour:
Year 5 and 6 students and their teachers at Merri Creek Primary School, Melbourne
Northcote High School, Melbourne
Life on the Murray River
This tour describes life on the Murray River; The Murray River is a rich part of the Australian landscape. Throughout history, the Murray River has been a source of food, trade and life sustaining biodiversity. Flowing for more than 2,500 km through three states, it also has its dangers. The Murray River is Australia’s number one drowning blackspot. Understanding and respecting the river is crucial for its survival and ours.
Teaching Resources
Following the tour, students can complete the activities below to consolidate learning.
| Level 3 & 4 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will read a dreamtime story about the creation of the Murray River. They will consider the main idea and sequence of events to create a storyboard. | English History |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will learn about traditional uses for some native Australian plants. They will identify some plants found in their local area and investigate their uses. | Geography History |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will find out about native plants and animals that are found near the Murray River. They will investigate how these living things support and depend on each other and the environment around them to survive. | Geography |
| Activity 4PDF | Students will investigate rainfall in the Murray-Darling Basin over the past year and create a bar graph in order to visualise how much water this actually is. | Mathematics Geography |
| Download all ActivitiesPDF |
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will investigate the importance of the Murray River from the perspective of the people, both past and present. They will use poetry to describe these different perspectives. | English History |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will model riverbank erosion using materials from the natural environment. They will investigate common causes and possible ways to combat erosion. | Geography |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will choose a native endangered species to investigate. They will identify the current threats to its survival and create an ad campaign for the protection of the species. | Science |
| Activity 4PDF | Students will investigate what Australia’s history looks like by creating a timeline to scale. They will find out about some of the most important events/information and reflect on the sheer magnitude of time that the Aboriginal people have been on this continent. | Mathematics History |
| Download all ActivitiesPDF |
| Level 7 & 8 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will investigate how life on the Murray has changed throughout history and make some predictions about what it might look like in the future. | History Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will learn about the water cycle within the Murray-Darling Basin. They will analyse and interpret river data, including water levels, flow rates and salinity levels. | Geography |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will investigate the animals and organisms that rely on the River Red Gum and create a food web to show how they depend on each other for survival. | Science |
| Activity 4PDF | Students will demonstrate their understanding of how a lock works. They will calculate the capacity of a lock and design locks of different dimensions for a given capacity. | Mathematics |
| Download all ActivitiesPDF |
Acknowledgements
LSV would like to acknowledge the following organisations who contributed to the development of this tour:
Mildura Life Saving Club
Nichols Point Primary School
Lower Murray Water
Mallee District Aboriginal Services
All Seasons Houseboats, Mildura
Mildura Paddlesteamers
Parks Victoria
Sunraysia Marine
Mildura Information and Booking Centre
Visiting a Farm
This tour follows the children of the Wallace family, Mia, Linus and Charlie as they visit their cousins, Freya and William, at their family farm. The tour will show the children in various locations throughout the day; from the farm house to the dam, down to the paddocks and the creek. The children will explore the fun you can have on a farm, while learning how to stay safe in a rural environment.
Teaching Resources
Following the tour, students can complete the activities below to consolidate learning.
| F - 2 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be become familiar with the important features of maps. They will create a simple map of their school and use a grid reference system to give the location of a hidden object for a classmate to find. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will reflect on the importance of volunteers in their own school and local communities. | English Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on the different forms of communication that they use. They will experiment with non-verbal communication to effectively convey a message. | Health and Physical Education |
| Level 3 & 4 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be become familiar with the important features of maps. They will create a simple map of their school and use a grid reference system to give the location of a hidden object for a classmate to find. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will reflect on the importance of volunteers in their own school and local communities. | English Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on the different forms of communication that they use. They will experiment with non-verbal communication to effectively convey a message. | Health and Physical Education |
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be become familiar with the important features of maps. They will create a simple map of their school and use a grid reference system to give the location of a hidden object for a classmate to find. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will reflect on the importance of volunteers in their own school and local communities. | English Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on the different forms of communication that they use. They will experiment with non-verbal communication to effectively convey a message. | Health and Physical Education |
Acknowledgements
LSV would like to acknowledge the following organisations who contributed to the development of this tour
Kidsafe Victoria
Myrrhee School
The Cavicchiolo Family
Visiting a pool for swimming and water safety lessons
This tour follows a class of primary school students. They are going to the local swimming pool for swimming and water safety lessons. For some students, it is their first time at a pool. They don’t know what to expect but they are excited to learn something new. In this tour students will learn how to swim and practise water safety skills. They will also learn how to be safe at the swimming pool.
Teaching Resources
Following the tour, students can complete the activities below to consolidate learning.
| F - 2 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be become familiar with the important features of maps. They will create a simple map of their school and use a grid reference system to give the location of a hidden object for a classmate to find. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will reflect on the importance of volunteers in their own school and local communities. | English Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on the different forms of communication that they use. They will experiment with non-verbal communication to effectively convey a message. | Health and Physical Education |
| Level 3 & 4 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be become familiar with the important features of maps. They will create a simple map of their school and use a grid reference system to give the location of a hidden object for a classmate to find. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will reflect on the importance of volunteers in their own school and local communities. | English Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on the different forms of communication that they use. They will experiment with non-verbal communication to effectively convey a message. | Health and Physical Education |
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will be become familiar with the important features of maps. They will create a simple map of their school and use a grid reference system to give the location of a hidden object for a classmate to find. | Mathematics Geography |
| Activity 2PDF | Students will reflect on the importance of volunteers in their own school and local communities. | English Civics and Citizenship |
| Activity 3PDF | Students will reflect on the different forms of communication that they use. They will experiment with non-verbal communication to effectively convey a message. | Health and Physical Education |
Acknowledgements
LSV would like to acknowledge the following organisations who contributed to the development of this tour
Noble Park Aquatic Centre
Access Ability Australia
Springvale Rise Primary School
Ventura Bus Lines
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Rip Current Safety
The following VR videos are designed to empower children with knowledge and skills on key safety elements of visiting coastal environments, including reading safety signs and surviving a rip current. There are four videos / lessons and these can be watched individually but should ideally be viewed in a sequence. Each VR video is accompanied by teaching resources aimed at year 5 & 6 students.
Reading Safety Signs
Safety signs at the beach give visitors information and warnings about beach hazards to be aware of. It is important to find, read and understand the information and warnings on the sign before going on to the beach. Signs are there for a reason and it is important to read them if you see them!
Teaching Resources
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will identify and interpret a range of signs and symbols that might be found at the beach. They will reflect on how each of these might affect their decision to go on to the beach. | English Health and Physical Education |
Spotting and Avoiding Rip Currents
A common hazard found at the beach is a rip current. The best way to avoid rip currents is by swimming between the red and yellow flags. However if there are no flags, make sure you read the safety signs, check the water and know how to spot the features of a rip current.
Teaching Resources
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will learn how to identify a rip current. They will then use collage to create a beach scene, using different techniques with paper to represent the identifying features of a rip current. | Visual Arts Health and Physical Education |
Surviving a Rip Current
If you get caught in a rip current, stay calm, float, conserve your energy and call for help.
Teaching Resources
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will experience what it is like to be caught in a rip current and learn what to do in this event. They will write a narrative that demonstrates their understanding of the common visible features of a rip current as well as how to escape one. | English Health and Physical Education |
Getting Help
You are the most important person in any emergency and it is essential to have strategies to respond safely and get help.
Teaching Resources
| Level 5 & 6 | Description | Victorian Curriculum Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1PDF | Students will learn what to do if they see someone in trouble in the water. They will make decisions about which Victorian beaches would be safest to swim at in the current conditions, considering their own ability. | Digital Technologies Health and Physical Education |
Acknowledgements
LSV would like to acknowledge the following partners, contributing to the development and evaluation of this resource:
Victorian State Government, The Public Sector Innovation Fund
Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
