With technology being such a prevalent part of society there is no reason we shouldn’t be using it in our classrooms. I have been trying to use as much technology as I can by using apps on the iPads or different websites for fun activities with the students but I hadn’t really though of using V.R. in my classroom. I like the idea of taking a virtual tour of a different place or giving students the opportunity to be apart of the ecosystem we are studying. I think this would be such a fun tool for students.
When I think of virtual reality I automatically think of the head set but it doesn’t always have to be that, it could be even taking a virtual tour of a different city or museum on the smart-board or projector.
This week was the first time I got to experience different ways you could use virtual reality in the classroom. I believe it can be an awesome tool for the classroom that will immerse students in their learning. I did a little more research and found some really cool things you can do with it. Such as visiting a third world country, time traveling to different historical events in the past and even exploring the human body! I got these ideas from these really cool image I wanted to share with you guys that has some awesome reasons to use it in the classroom. Its activities like this that will really engage and enrich the students learning and activate their critical thinking and interest in different topics. I really love this!
Emily's Tech Talk 
Hello,
Thanks for the interesting post about using virtual reality in the classroom. I like how you shared the benefits of using this in the classroom by using technology such as the smart board that is already in the classroom. One virtual tour app that is interesting to use in the classroom regardless of grade level or subject is ‘google earth’. This is free and can be used to engage students interest in many school subjects. I do agree that there is a lot of benefits of virtual reality in the classroom but my main concern is how expensive some equipment would be and because of this many schools will not be equipped to engage in this type of learning. If only the equipment was affordable to all schools this would give all students the opportunity through another method that is not the traditional classroom setup. Thanks for the great chart in the post.
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Hello Emily, thanks for sharing about your experience using V.R. I have always found it interesting when I see those big googles at the store and have always wanted to try one out! As teachers we are always looking for ways to incorporate ideas that will spark the interest of our students. After reading this post I think that I would like to try and bring this into my classroom. I like the fact that there are essentially endless and creative ideas on how you can engage your students using V.R. and that it really does promote curiosity and wonder!
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Really great points about using V.R. in the classroom, Emily! I also did not know much about Virtual Reality until we tried it in class. I believe it would be such a fun tool, especially for the early years students, to use during different units. Thanks for sharing about the different ways you can use V.R. I had no idea you could use it on a Smartboard or projector, and I will definitely be using this idea in my classroom. This gives students a new perspective by seeing from these points of view, and would be really engaging. Thanks for the tip!
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Great Post Emily
I enjoyed reading your post. Love that your posted the reasons you would use VR in the classroom. I my self have a hard time wrapping my head around what VR really is , as what comes to mind for myself is simply a head set as well. My first VR experience was at the movie theater in that big game seat. I’m not even sure what it is called. Of course i chose the roller coaster game. Where it literally took me on the ride of a roller coaster, and I had to take the goggles off as I felt sick to my stomach when I wasn’t even moving it was so surreal. I also did research after this and seen many videos on line about teachers using VR to have the students explore history, health, science it was very interesting and I think something I will have in my classroom. Like my experience it makes it feel so real, and like you are apart of what is going on. It actually reminds me on the Magic Schools Bus and how Ms Frizzle puts the kids into everything ! for example the human body, or the blood stream. VR gives students a hands on new perspective and captures their attention around into seeing and feeling this. Good Job !
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I love that image! It really reminds me that there is a place for technology in every subject area and can help inspire skills like critical thinking and empathy and help our students be better global citizens.
On a personal level, I really like #1-3 because students should be able to experience so much through the use of technology. As many of us have said before (and even during this class) is that students are more connected now than ever before; let’s use this to our advantage! Let’s help our students travel even if they can’t afford it. Let’s help our students be strong, thoughtful, empathetic global citizens. LET’S HELP OUR STUDENTS EXPERIENCE CAREERS BEFORE THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
Thinking of teaching biology in particular, I have never really thought about videos as virtual reality. It really comes in handy when there are videos available that will show processes at the cellular level and within the body so that students can visualize what is happening.
Virtual reality could be a real asset to the classroom!
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