VAR Gaia looks to 3D technnology for future growth
Reseller's own 3D technology brings First World War trenches, childbirth and the Black Death to life for schoolkids
Education reseller Gaia Technologies claims its new 3D technology is set to fuel its future growth as well as enable schools to make the most of their tablet investments.
The North Wales-based firm has been building up its 3D Visual Learning platform business for the past 12 months, and claims it is a key strand of its long-term growth plans.
The technology allows schools and educational institutes to experience bespoke 3D projects based on their curriculum subjects, including the World War One trenches, Ancient Egypt and childbirth.
Gaia claims the offering – which it develops itself – helps children bone up on hard-to-grasp topics through observation and investigation rather than by instruction, as well as adding an interactive element to the teaching by allowing kids to use tablets to take part in the experience.
More than 200 schools across the world are using the platform, which is designed and engineered by the VAR's own 30-strong 3D team.
The firm claims it is the only UK reseller offering bespoke 3D projects to schools in this way, and that this stands it in good stead to realise its growth aims in the future.
Jon Rashid, Gaia's 3D development manager, said his department is key for Gaia.
"Our managing director sees this as a long-term plan for the business, not just for today, tomorrow and next year. He wants to really build it up and get more schools on board," he said.
"Some are scared of technology and it is a learning curve, but other schools want it right away. It is [catching on] almost like a viral campaign from school to school."
Rashid added that schools are increasingly keen to buy into tablet technology, but many do not know what to do with them once they are set up.
"A lot of schools have iPads, but not the content to go on them, and that is what they really lack," he said. "They are putting the cart before the horse and not being able to use [them fully].
"They are very powerful bits of equipment, millions [of dollars] goes into research and development and so they are very sophisticated, but the surface is barely scratched."
Alongside its curriculum-based catalogue of already established 3D projects – such as the industrial revolution, the circulatory system and the plague – the firm claims to offer tailor-made experiences for each school.
Rashid added that it is a win-win situation for both, as schools get unique projects and the reseller gets detailed feedback and another topic to add to its portfolio.