Online education and the metaverse

Funding

November 2016: U.S. Department of Education $50,000 prize.

The U.S. Department of Education is announcing the EdSim Challenge, a prize competition funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. The Challenge calls upon the virtual reality, video game developer, and educational technology communities to design next-generation computer-generated simulations for career and technical education that prepare students for the globally competitive workforce of the 21st century.

The Challenge seeks designs that lead to the acquisition of academic, technical, and employability skills through engaging simulated experiences in the hybrid reality continuum. For the purpose of this notice, “hybrid reality continuum” refers to the range of computer-generated simulations that extend from completely simulated environments to environments that incorporate aspects of the real world. For the purpose of this Challenge, “EdSim” is broadly defined as computer-generated three-dimensional learning environments, including virtual, augmented, and mixed realities that draw upon or mimic real-world experiences and are designed to educate users.

Up to five finalists will be selected from the pool of submissions received during the first round submission phase. From the total prize pool of $680,000, each of the finalists will be awarded $50,000.

Much more information in the Federal Register, November 2, 2016:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/11/02/2016-26262/announcement-of-requirements-and-registration-for-the-edsim-challenge