Virtual reality and augmented reality, two concepts I was not introduced to until high school, but now have become a regular part of learning environments. Virtual Reality is defined as “the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors”. In class we did this multiple times across many devices.
Before exploring this concept in class, I had limited experience with virtual and augmented reality. With virtual reality, I remember in middle school my friends dad had gotten the headset you can put your phone in and download apps to go with it. The only game I played was a roller coaster simulation and I remember it making me feel very ill. With augmented reality, I use to use the app Pokemon Go, where the Pokemon would show up in your camera view, and you would catch them within the app. Other than these things, I had not been exposed to these concepts very much.
When we first started discussing Virtual reality in class, my first thought was, “Yeah this technology is great, but is it really feasible for the classroom?” I know for many schools, this technology is just too expensive when there are other necessary items to spend money on, so would this technology ever fully make it to the classroom?
When our class went into the virtual reality studio, I was intimidated at first. All I could remember was the way the phone headset made me feel, and I was not excited to try this technology out. After going to my station, I watched my partner participate on the computer screen before trying it out. We started at the job simulation station.
Seeing what she was seeing on the computer screen was cool, but it was nothing like actually using the headset. When I began to use the headset, it was crazy how transformed you feel. After being in the headset for 5 minutes, I forgot where I was outside of the virtual reality game. After completing the job simulation task, I used the google earth virtual reality. I did not find this one as enjoyable. It was just like using google earth on your phone or desktop. I did not think this was something that would be necessary. In class later, we used the headsets to do a tour of somewhere on the map. We got into groups and led each other. I thought this feature was especially neat. It was truly like going to that place, for example we went to Mount Everest. I believe something like this could be extremely useful in the classroom. As of course you cannot go to all the places you learn about, but for specific projects and lessons, exploring where you are learning about could be used.
As for my personal classroom, I do not believe virtual or augmented reality will be something I use regularly or at all. Since I have decided to move from Elementary Education to Secondary Education, I know the curriculum is usually more strict. Although exploring the places you are learning about is neat and entertaining, I feel like personally at that level of education it would be of little benefit to use virtual or augmented reality to learn.
After doing some research, I do not believe that virtual reality would be very beneficial in my classroom. Often, students get caught up in using virtual reality, rather than learning. According to a post on iblogs, “Virtual reality changes the way we learn, teach, and communicate. The learners are engaged during the lessons because there are no outside distractions as this technology is immersive in nature, inspires creative learning, and promotes curiosity”. While I believe this is true for those younger, I do not believe this would hold for my audience of learners. I know during class I got pretty distracted by the technology. An edtech round up article states, “The learning curve of the product isn’t too severe for your students (or for you): While VR can be exciting, some applications can be too advanced or inaccessible for most K-12 students”, this article more aligns with my thoughts on virtual reality. As I believe it is great technology, I just do not believe it would create such a lesson my kids would benefit from like those of younger ages.
http://www.edtechroundup.org/editorials–press/how-vr-can-augment-or-distract-from-education
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