Picture this: you have 25 students, 10 VR headsets, and 50 minutes to deliver meaningful career exploration or skills training. Sounds challenging? Station rotations can turn this challenging situation into one of your most effective lessons, getting the most out of your VR headsets across many classrooms and programs.
Why Student Engagement Matters More Than Ever
Recent research from the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup confirms this widespread challenge—many students don’t find their school experiences engaging or meaningful.
But here’s the encouraging news: students are telling us exactly what they need. Nearly half of students say hands-on experiences drive their interest, while about one in three learn best when they can connect material to real-world applications. When schools create these engaging experiences, highly engaged students are more than twice as likely to be thriving overall.
Station rotations with Transfr’s virtual reality simulations deliver exactly what students are asking for: immersive, hands-on experiences that connect learning directly to real careers and practical applications.
How to use station models with Transfr Virtual Reality Simulations
There are many ways to format a rotational station model, but here are two simple implementations that you can try:
A 3-Station Model for Career Exploration with Transfr Trek
Format: Students start and end as a full class, with three stations of activities (10-15 minutes each).
Station 1: VR Experience
Students explore careers through Transfr Trek simulations. For example, in the Electrician simulation, students troubleshoot power outages and restore power to a hospital while learning about the occupation. While waiting for their turn in the headset, students may use a menu of Trek simulations to plan their VR exploration based on their interests. After completing the simulation, students fill out a reflection sheet and file it in their career portfolio.
Station 2: Small Group Discussion (Teacher-Led)
Using the electrician example, students might:
- Analyze local job market data for electrical careers
- Compare residential, commercial, and industrial specializations
- Discuss education pathways and certification requirements
Station 3: Independent Work
Students work quietly on activities like:
- Take the Transfr Trek interest inventory
- Read about matched careers in Transfr Trek
- Updating their career exploration portfolio
- Exploring related careers to matches
- Completing career interest extensions
Wrap-up: End with a whole-class discussion or exit ticket about their experience
Station Rotations for Skills Training
Format: Learners start and end as a full class, with three stations of activities (10-15 minutes each).
A 3-Station Lab Model for Career & Technical Education
Let’s use conduit bending in electrical construction as an example:
Station 1: (Small Group Traditional Hands-On Practice (Teacher Led)
Students work with physical conduit and hand tools, practicing measuring, marking, and creating basic bends. The small group setting allows for intensive teacher coaching and immediate feedback.
Station 2: VR Simulation
Students complete the Electrical Construction simulation “Conduit Bending: Introduction to 90-Degree Stub-Ups.” The virtual environment provides a safe space to make mistakes, repeat procedures, and receive consistent instruction from the virtual coach.
Station 3: Independent Work: Curriculum Planner Activity
Instructor uses one of the activities in the curriculum planner or designs their own activities and worksheets that correspond with the lesson, such as:
- Calculating materials needed for a commercial building project
- Analyzing blueprints to identify conduit routing requirements
- Planning bend sequences for complex installations
Exit ticket: End the lesson with an exit ticket asking the student to share about their experience.
Making Rotations with Transfr Work in Your Classroom
Ready to get started with rotational models? Here are some tips to consider when you’re planning:
- Teach the model first: Before incorporating content, teach how rotations work and clearly explain expectations for independent work stations. This will reduce confusion for learners so they can focus on the content, not the process.
- Start small and practice:Try starting with one station rotation per week, then gradually increase frequency as students become comfortable with the model. Have a timer that all students can see and hear.
- Plan ahead: Budget time for gathering materials, organizing stations, and arranging furniture to support easy rotation
- Keep it simple: Focus on smooth transitions and clear instructions rather than complex activities when you’re starting out
- Listen and adjust: Use student feedback to refine activities and timing—what works in one class may need tweaking for another
Your Partner in Student Success
Ready to transform student engagement with station rotations? Transfr works with educators to support seamless curriculum integration that fits your classroom needs, and offers curriculum resources that include structured activities, discussion prompts, material lists and pacing guides.
Whether you’re piloting with one class or expanding across your district, get in touch and we’ll help you create an approach that works for your students and your schedule.
