- Places students inside of a simulated environment that looks and feels like the real world
- Students interact in VR like they interact with the real world – objects can be picked up, turned around and examined from all angles
- The learning potential of VR is great because it is “learning by doing”
- Learning requires a first-hand experience to understand- words, pictures, and videos are not enough for students to get a full understanding and learning.
- At the heart of VR is an experience
Engaged Learning
• Virtual Reality is based on “Engaged Learning”
• Students explore bodies of knowledge
• Students control learning process
• Students carry out “authentic tasks”
• Teachers use VR to create environments for exploration and experience
Understanding Virtual Reality
• Think of a child exploring a forest for the 1st time
• A child will best learn about the forest not from reading or listening, but by walking into it and becoming a part of it.
• The child is free to explore the forest any way he or she likes
• Discovery and experience are the best teacher
Unlimited Choices in Virtual Reality
• Students make real-time decisions
• Students can fly, drive, swim, or walk anywhere
• The number of possible combinations of real-time interactive choices available are infinite
• No matter how many choices are pre-computed, there are always more possibilities available
• Not possible with other computer programs since the images have been previously generated
Gear You Need For VR
VR Headset
- Lets us see new views of virtual worlds as we turn our heads
- Three-dimensional depth perception is created by “stereoscopy,” where slightly different views of the same image appear to each eye
VR Glove 
Students see their hand in the virtual world, enabling them to pick up and manipulate objects
- Provide a new, natural way to interact and communicate with the computer
Head Tracking
A tracking mechanism registers any head motion by the student
When a student moves her head, the scene changes accordingly, just as in real life
- Recognizing objects in the virtual world through 3-D sound greatly adds to the realism of the VR experience
- The volume of an airplane in a virtual world decreases as it moves away from you, just as in real life.
Virtual Reality and Students
- The age old problem: how to better involve students in their studies
- New ways must be found to engage students
- The videogame era has changed students’ attention spans
Students have a great natural interest in VR
- New teaching methods must be pioneered to relieve growing burdens on teachers
- Teachers assist and guide while students explore and discover
- No distractions in the learning environment when students have VR headset on
- Students are focused on learning
Virtual Reality Costs
- VR is now based on off the shelf PC’s: every school can now afford to use it
- VR Headsets $500 - $1,300
- PC $500
- Graphics Card $140
- VR Glove $130
Opinions
Leah Zaremba: I think Virtual Reality is a great method; every teacher should take into consideration and start applying it more to their courses! I defiantly believe I would have learned a lot more throughout school if I were able to be more active in learning. It makes it more interesting and students will want to learn instead of feeling as if they have to.
Ashley Tremblay: I would suggest that all teachers try to incorporate virtual reality into their classrooms, if they are given the materials needed. Virtual reality is a great new technology that brings a new aspect and view to the classroom. It is something that will grab a students’ attention and keep it throughout the entire lesson. I will definitely use virtual reality in my future classroom.
Samantha Miller: I think that virtual reality is a good source to have in the classroom because it opens up some doors for exploration of teaching.
Khrystine Bosland: I never had access to virtual reality when I was in school. If that had been available to me growing up, I think I would have been more interested in learning. I am a hand on learner and VR is an activity that you learn through doing. I think it is a great educational breakthrough!
Lindsey Newpher: have never really heard of virtual reality in classrooms, but I have experienced learning through virtual reality. When I was in junior high I went to a science museum and actually wore one of these virtual reality shields, I got to explore the solar system as if I was an astronaut. I really enjoyed it and it kept my attention because it you actually feeling like you are there. If I were able to have this type of equipment in my class, I would definitely incorporate it into my curriculum
“I hear and I forget. I see and I understand. I do and I remember.” – Confucius
19 comments:
Your blog was very thorough this week. I really liked the intro about "stepping in" to virtual reality. The pictures and descriptions of the VR equipment really added to the blog. Including the cost of VR was very practical. Good job this week guys!
I think I always respond to this blog but is because you guys always do such a good job and your page catches my eye! This article is great! I really think it is great you put information in about the equipment! Makes you realize how expensive virtual reality in the classroom can be. And your page is always easy to follow because you format with bulletins and sections. Great job!!
I agree with the article that virtual reality focuses the student, creating an experience the student will remember, and lets students learn by doing. Virtual reality does all of those things. I like how the summary incorporates pictures of the equipment which I have not seen before and the summary includes cost of the items which I was wondering. This summary answered any questions that I had about virtual reality.
i like how you used sub titles and formated your blog arounf that. i also found that the pictures of the virtual reality stuff very helpful as a visual.
ow great job!! Your blog was very well organized and easy o follow. I alos like the different pictures you used to show what you were talking about.
I loved your blog this week.
I didn't realize that Virtual Reality had such an impact in the classroom.
I liked those lists of the types of equipment needed for virtual reality
I think that you guys did well. You put the real cost of virtual reality. And how it works and their benefits. Definately something to invest some money in.
I enjoyed reading your blog this week! I liked the pictures of the equipment because it showed what you were talking about. I also liked tha the information was in bullets and paragraphs. It was easier to read that way, especially since it was a lot of info.
Group Two,
I really enjoyed your blog this week. Your page is truely eye catching and worth a read! Your information was clear and precise, really focusing on the student. I like that you incorporated pictures along with it. Your summary was also excetional.
I really liked the usage of pictures; it helped visual what was actually going on. I also thought that the bullet points were a nice addition. Good job guys.
This blog explained virtual reality well. It was explained as a three dimensional, computer simulated world of learning. It lets students learn by doing and they actually enjoy it. The examples of all the different types of equiptment was cool, such as the glove.
This blog had a lot of information! The one thing that really stuck out was the cost because that is one thing I have yet to read about. It could've been a little more interesting if there were some paragraphs instead of all bullet points but otherwise awesome job!
I love the way your blog is set up! I like the way you gave examples and pictures of the different types of Virtual tools. Like the gloves and headset. I also like how you gave examples of all of the great ways you can use Virtual Reality in the classroom. great Job!!
“I hear and I forget. I see and I understand. I do and I remember.” – Confucius
I absolutely love that quote. It is so true in a learning atmosphere. I am a hands on learner and I relate to this immensely. It is so much more useful to be involved in your learning. It gives you something to hold on to.
I think you guys did a good job. You included information that no other group included which was nice. Your blog is easy to follow and very thorough. The pictures were also a nice touch. Your blog will provide a lot of answers to many questions people may have. Great Job!
I really liked how everything was broken down into subtitles and bullets. I liked how the focus was on the students and how the blog provided pictures. Good job!
Your blog was my favorite so far. It really broke down every aspect of VR and how it can be used in the class room. It was very informative and I learned even more then I did from my blog.
Wow, this was awesome! Your article was so easy to read!! Learning by doing, i believe, is the best way to learn and retain information (at least for me) Good information
Wow great article. I really like how everyone in the group gave their opinions. Also, the pictures always help to make it a little more interesting so we can really understand the equipment.
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