Prompt: Find a virtual reality or simulation experience you could implement in your classroom. Make sure it aligns to your standards. Post the experience, the standard(s) the experience teaches or reinforces, and explain how you will implement the experience in your classroom. Do you think implementing this experience will enhance your students’ learning? Why, and how? Or, why not?
Virtual Reality Experience...GO!
Virtual Reality (VR) opens doors to experiences that students may or may not ever have the opportunity to explore. For example, a student in Conway, may never have the means to visit The White House. VR has made that possible.
In the education world, VR is a newer concept that has seemed to advance quickly due to COVID-19. At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, students were trapped at home and teachers were searching for things that students could do virtually and still excite students. VR was one tool that many teachers utilized through the lens of Virtual Field Trips. As of now, due to COVID-19, schools are not allowing students to physically leave the building for field trips. Again, VR is a tool that teachers are using to make learning exciting and engaging. |
Exploring places has a whole new meaning...
Virtual Reality opens doors for students to experience places on a whole new level. For example, The Nature Conservatory has free virtual field trips for students to explore to learn about various animal habitats. Traditionally in class, we talk about the characteristics of various environments and conduct a research project on an environment of their choice. Imagine if they could dive into a habitat of their choice.
This particular option is optimal for the classroom or for students that may be learning at home because no hardware is needed. Students simply visit the above website and explore the environment of their choice. This option would be beneficial to add to classroom instruction because it allows students to truly experience and learn about the environment, rather than just read about it. Students could still conduct the research project about the environment, but I believe their findings and connections would be on a deeper level than before.
In a traditional classroom setting...If students are learning in the classroom, students may have the opportunity to view the virtual field trips with a partner during Science time. Students could collaborate to conduct their research and build on their research project.
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In a virtual classroom setting...If students are learning at home, students may have the link to view the virtual field trips at home for an extended period of time. Students would utilize the website to conduct their research to build on their research project for their assignment.
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Third Grade Science Standard