Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697721369126.pdf (Canada)
Exploring Parliament in Virtual Reality Level: Grades 8-12, QC Secondary II-V, CEGEP Time: 60-90 minutes Overview In this lesson, students will visit the iconic Centre Block, the historical seat of Parliament, using a Virtual Reality (VR) Classroom Kit.

After the experience, students will reflect on what they saw, heard and felt.

If your class does not have access to a VR Classroom Kit, please consult Lesson Plan 2b: Exploring Parliament in 360º for an alternative web-based experience.
Inquiry Question Why is Parliament important?

Learning Outcomes Students will gain an appreciation for and an understanding of the role of Centre Block as the historical seat of federal decision-making in Canada.
Curriculum Links Students will be able to: • Explain the structure of Canada’s Parliament • Explain the role of the federal government in Canada • Describe the role of parliamentarians Competencies Students will: • Develop media literacy skills • Use new technologies appropriately • Develop critical thinking skills • Demonstrate collaboration, consensus building and cooperation • Analyze media and explain how they produce meaning • Demonstrate decision-making and problem-solving skills • Develop oral and written communication skills 1 Lesson 2a Materials & Setup Before starting this lesson with your class, please read the Setup Guide in your VR Classroom Kit or online.
Plan this lesson accordingly to make sure your kit is ready to use.

• VR Classroom Kit • Exploring Parliament in VR PowerPoint presentation • Computer and projector (optional) • VR observations worksheet Minds on (5 minutes) Step 1: Lead students in a short concentration activity, which will help focus their attention during the VR experience.

Explain that there will be a lot to see in the VR experience and this activity will help prepare them for the virtual environment.
Step 2: Start the Exploring Parliament in VR PowerPoint presentation (on-screen or using printouts), which begins with three images of rooms inside Centre Block.

You can also substitute photos of your own choosing.

Step 3: Show each image for 10 seconds, then give students 30 seconds to write down as many details as they can remember.

Try to answer the questions about each image as a class.

This will help focus their observation skills.


Step 4: Next, ask students to close their eyes and identify the sounds they hear around them (e.g.

noises in the hall, heating and cooling systems, traffic, birds).

See how many sounds you can list as a class.

This will help focus their listening skills during the VR experience.

Activity (35 minutes) Step 1: Show students the PowerPoint slide with the floorplan of Centre Block.

Note the spaces they will visit and the order in which they will see them.
Step 2: Distribute the VR observations worksheet and assign each student one of the following space groupings.

Ask them to pay special attention to their assigned areas during the VR experience and to take note of what they see, hear and feel.

1) Confederation Hall and Library of Parliament 2) House of Commons Foyer and Chamber 3) Senate Foyer and Chamber 2 Lesson 2a Step 3: Show students the “VR Health & Safety” slides.

Review expected behaviours and hygiene practices while using the VR headsets.
Step 4: Distribute the VR headsets and hygiene masks.

Have students launch the VR headset application by following the instructions in the Setup Guide or on the PowerPoint slides.

Step 5: Play the VR experience for students from the teacher console laptop.

Step 6: After the experience finishes, ask students to fill out the first part of the VR observations worksheet, noting what they saw, heard and felt in their assigned spaces.
Consolidation (20 minutes) Step 1: Using the PowerPoint slide with the table as a guide, ask students to share their responses from part one of the worksheet.

Record their answers for each space on the board.

Step 2: Have students answer the questions in the worksheet, using their classmates’ observations as a reference.

Assessment Step 3: Have students hand in their worksheet for a participation mark to ensure they have understood the concepts and themes highlighted in the VR experience.
The answer key outlines some possible answers, but students may have additional ideas.

Enhancement • Have students choose another national legislature from around the world (e.g.

the United States Capitol, Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom, National People’s Congress in China, Duma in Russia, etc.)

and research it online.

Ask them to compare and contrast their chosen legislature with what they saw and learned about Centre Block during the VR experience.
They should reflect on the building’s history and architecture, as well as the country’s system of governance.

Additional Resources • Parliament of Canada Flickr albums • Parliament: An Overview • Parliament 360 video series 3 Lesson 2a