Introducing Learn A-Frame: A VR course you can take… in VR!

Virtual reality is alive and well, which is why we’re beyond excited to introduce you to our newest course — Learn A-Frame. “We worked closely with the A-Frame team to design an introductory VR course that’s magical, state of the art, and breathtaking,” says Sonny, the Codecademy Curriculum Developer behind this course.

Recommended to developers, designers, and non-technical creatives alike, Learn A-Frame can be taken the usual way, using a computer. Or, you can experience the course using a VR headset and keyboard. A VR course in VR! Pretty meta, right?

A look inside Learn A-Frame

Check out the video demo below for a look inside the course with Sonny. Then, read on for a Q&A with Sonny to learn more about Learn A-Frame. We’ll also share a sneak peek at some of the Pro-exclusive projects found within the course.

We spoke with Sonny to learn more about the course, who it’s designed for, and what you can expect. Check out the interview below.

Q: Who is the Learn A-Frame course right for?

This course is for beginner or seasoned developers and designers who are interested in learning about VR development, as well as for non-technical creatives who want to prototype something in VR.

The only prerequisite for this course is an understanding of HTML syntax. Bonus points if you have some JavaScript knowledge, too.

Q: What skills will I take away when I’m finished with this course?

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to build your very own virtual world for your friends and families to explore, whether they’re using a VR headset, a Google Cardboard, or a computer.

You’ll also walk away with fundamental 3D modeling skills that can be applied to VR/AR and game development.

Q: What makes this course special?

This is Codecademy’s first VR course — and that’s not all. One of the neat things about this course is that you can actually take the entire thing inside of a VR headset. Use an Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift S, or Valve Index and see the virtual world come to life as you’re coding it.

Pop in and out of VR as you go. Simply go to the Codecademy website within a VR browser to get started. If you don’t have a VR headset you can still take the course in your regular web browser.

One of our personal motivations for designing this course in VR was to push the VR/AR community forward by transforming a traditional 2D online learning experience into an immersive 3D one.

We wanted to experiment with a whole new way for users to experience Codecademy. Hopefully it will inspire others in the space to make other bold and innovative bets to fundamentally change the way people learn.

Q: What are the Pro-exclusive features of this course?

In addition to Pro-exclusive quizzes to test your knowledge of the concepts learned in this course, we’ve also included a collection of Pro projects that let you apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios. Here’s a sneak preview of what you’ll build in the Learn A-Frame Pro projects.

Flower of Life

Use the knowledge of A-Frame `<a-circle>` primitive to build a fun little geometry.

Solar System

Build your very own solar system in VR in three parts — create the planets, add textures, and then add interaction.