In this episode, Shannon sits down with Mercy Johnson, Marketing Director for VLab Education, to explore how virtual reality is transforming science education. Mercy shares how VLab offers immersive, entry-level chemistry labs — from safety training and glassware basics to flame tests, precipitation reactions, heat capacity experiments, and even an explosion lab — all designed to let students learn through trial and error without real-world risks. The conversation digs into the value of gamified, open-ended learning, the importance of staying an education-first company (not a tech company), and why human customer service still matters. Mercy also shares her unconventional path into the VR space, the exciting Next Generation Science Standards rollout driving demand, and why the team believes immersive learning is the classroom shift education has been waiting for. Episode Links:Website: VLab EducationShannon's Links:Putman XR XReps

Host Shannon welcomes back Dave Dolan — immersive learning veteran and VR-in-education advocate — for a wide-ranging conversation about the real challenges and possibilities of bringing VR into classrooms worldwide.Topics covered:The "just" problem — Dave's framework for why ed tech vendors consistently underestimate the burden they place on teachers, and why most educators see VR's value but won't adopt it under current conditions.The four stakeholders — Students, teachers, IT, and admin each have distinct needs that must all be satisfied for a successful VR rollout.Champion teacher trap — Most companies sell to the enthusiastic early adopter, leaving the other 25–30 teachers in a school behind — and when that champion leaves, the program collapses (illustrated by a real-world Estonia case study).VR as a calculator — Dave's vision: VR should be as unremarkable and accessible as a calculator. One device per 10 students, offline-capable, picked up and used as needed — not a monthly event in the gymnasium.Gaming vs. education devices — A deep dive into why consumer/gaming headsets create hidden costs through MDM solutions, connectivity dependencies, and biometric data collection that should give schools pause.Student data and privacy — As VR shifts from behavioral data to biometric data, Dave raises serious concerns about devices tied to social media platforms and what that means for student privacy.Graphics quality vs. content quality — The real measure of a VR experience is its word count (actual learning content), not photorealism. Good enough graphics + rich content beats stunning visuals with nothing to do.AR glasses hype — Both hosts are skeptical of the current rush toward AR glasses for education: battery life, AI hallucinations, data ownership, and misuse potential in schools are all unresolved.VR vs. XR terminology — Dave argues that lumping VR, AR, and MR under "XR" degrades the unique value of each technology. VR's power is immersion and distraction removal — fundamentally different from AR/MR.Links:Shannon's Links:Putman XRLinkedIn: Dr. Shannon PutmanDave's Links:Sensible VRLinkedIn: Dave Dolan

In this live interview recorded at the NSTA conference, host Shannon chats with Peggy, a high school science teacher with 16+ years of experience, about her innovative and student-centered approach to education.

Shannon welcomes Tracy Scott, a second-grade instructional assistant with 23 years of experience in Jefferson County Public Schools, to discuss the often-overlooked role of classified school staff. Tracy shares what instructional assistants actually do—far beyond the common misconception of just "taking kids to the bathroom"—including leading intervention groups, providing emotional support, managing behavior, and building lasting relationships with students.Key topics include the persistent class divide between certified teachers and assistants, how assistants are frequently given the most challenging students and behavior situations without recognition, and the need for mutual respect within school communities. Tracy emphasizes that kids primarily need love, attention, and "their person" to confide in—something she's provided for two decades, maintaining relationships with former students well into their twenties.Links: Putman XR Consulting LinkedIn: Shannon Putman

Shannon welcomes Benjamin Albaum (CEO/Founder) and John Mina (CIO/Founder) of VIZQ to discuss their revolutionary speech therapy technology.Key Topics:The Generalization Problem: John explains how students master skills in therapy but struggle to transfer them to real-world settings—the core problem Viscu aims to solve.What is VIZQ?: A VR-based digital extension of speech therapy that collects real-time data and personalizes treatment, creating continuity of care between therapy, home, and school.Speech Therapy Scope: John clarifies that SLPs work on far more than lisps—including speech sounds, fluency, voice, and the critical area of language (expressive, receptive, and pragmatic/social skills).Why Toothbrushing?: The team chose this as their first activity because it incorporates receptive language, cognition, sequencing, and behavior—all foundational skills wrapped in one essential daily task.Research-Based Approach: VIZQ uses systematic prompting and evidence-based special education practices, making it adaptable for any learner, not just those with disabilities.Real Results: Deployed in 10+ Kentucky schools across 5 counties, students are requesting to use VIZQ, cheering each other on, and—most importantly—10 of 11 kids in a study showed independent toothbrushing at 1 and 3-month follow-ups.Future Vision: Expanding to life skills like laundry and coffee-making that double as job skills, with the ultimate goal of creating "a therapist in your pocket" for lifelong independence.