Filip Sterving Nominated for Digital Rising Star of the Year

It was after a visit to the VR studio in Helsingborg that Filip Sterving realized the potential of using VR technology (virtual reality) in schools. Shortly afterward, he began incorporating VR into his teaching for children with problematic school backgrounds, quickly seeing results.

– It has yielded incredible results for these students. From not attending school for over three years to now being in school every day, full time, learning, and developing both academically and socially. It’s truly amazing, says Filip Sterving in the Swedish Digitala influencer-podden.

He continues:

– Students who previously didn’t dare speak English out loud in class, as it’s a different language where they might feel more insecure, are now speaking confidently in the classroom thanks to virtual technology.

Filip has received an outpouring of positive feedback from both parents and colleagues.

– Many parents are used to not being able to get their children to school at all. But now they’re going without any complaints in the morning.

In the fall of 2024, Filip decided to start his own company: VR-pedagogen. The decision came after several newspapers and media outlets contacted him with questions about his teaching methods.

– I received a lot of inquiries from schools and individual teachers wanting to know what I do and how I use the technology to reach students. I didn’t have time in my daily work to answer all their questions, so I decided to start a company and dedicate 20% of my time to spreading this knowledge.

Through his newly launched company, he can now motivate schools and teachers to embrace the technology in their teaching.

– What we do is motivate and encourage schools to embrace the technology and work with it rather than against it. To use its potential to engage and support students in their academic and social development.

A Virtual Graduation Ceremony

At the start of the summer, Filip Sterving organized the world’s first virtual graduation ceremony for students who, for various reasons, couldn’t or didn’t want to attend their real graduation ceremony.

– I was contacted by a woman deeply involved in the network Right to Education, with whom I brainstormed ideas. The registrations came flooding in – I believe 40 students who hadn’t been to school in a long time logged in and attended the graduation. There were even guardians who wanted to join, as well as a grandparent. It was so much fun, something I’ll cherish for a long time.

Filip Sterving now has a clear vision of how he wants the future to look.

– With all the experiences and lessons I’ve gained over these years of using VR in education, I’ve created a dream scenario for how this tool could be better adapted for schools. Things are going to happen – now it’s just a matter of spreading awareness about the tool’s benefits and delivering the next big step.

With incredible drive, Filip is determined to provide children with challenging school backgrounds the motivation they need to come to school and leave feeling satisfied. His work has only just begun, and more exciting plans are in store.

Filip Sterving’s nomination for Digital Star of the Year reads:

Through his groundbreaking work in education, he has revolutionized teaching for students with special needs using virtual reality (VR). Filip has successfully improved both attendance and the learning environment for students who otherwise struggle to maintain their schooling. With a deep understanding of pedagogy and the right tools, Filip has demonstrated how technology can be a powerful force for inclusion and well-being throughout a student’s educational journey. His tremendous dedication and drive for a more inclusive form of education make him a worthy nominee for Digital Star of the Year.

Listen to the episode in the Digitala influencer-podden on December 26th.