In October 2025, the vision for spatial computing at La Crosse Polytechnic officially moved into the hands of our students. After an initial kickoff with Bethany, Dan, Logan and myself, Apple Professional Learning came into action. Jim Harmon, from APL, joined us to set the stage for our journey by building an immediate, authentic connection with our students.
Jim began by sharing his own personal story, discussing his experience of high school not always coming easy. This transparency resonated with our students, creating a foundation of trust and relatability before they even opened a device case. He then introduced the core concepts of spatial computing, explaining how photography and video are being redefined through this new medium.
A central theme of this first launch was the gravity of the project. Jim reminded the students that they were participating in a global milestone: the first school district in the world to deploy 30 Apple Vision Pros at scale in a classroom setting. This framing helped the students realize that they weren't just using new gadgets; they were at the forefront of a major technological shift. He modeled one of the greatest principles of coaching, being willing to share that you're going to be learning alongside the learner.
The initial hands-on sessions focused on exploration and the expansion of horizons. Students used the headsets to view life-sized animals and global landscapes in the spatial gallery, with many reflecting on how the immersive experience made them want to travel and see the world in person. Following this exploration, we moved directly into the "creator" phase by distributing 20 iPhone 16 Pros. Jim, drawing on his own photography background, taught the students about lighting and manual controls before sending them out to capture their own spatial photography. Giving them a simple, yet an effective, prompt: Go out and capture something spatially that represents you or your school. Students set upon the school, seeking their own story and meaning to be shared. An easy win, and an important one.
Upon returning kids saw their own and others images rendered in 3D for the first time in Apple Vision Pro. A pivotal moment. It shifted the technology from a novelty into a powerful tool for personal expression, confirming that our students were ready to lead the way in this new spatial frontier. Not as consumers, but as creators.
#VisionProAdventures
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