Today we escaped the classroom and entered the realms of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), simply by using Google Cardboards and our own devices. Just to explain the difference, Virtual Reality (VR) is when the user’s current physical surroundings are replaced by a virtual surrounding through a device of some kind. Augmented Reality (AR) is when the view of the real-world is supplemented by additional input generated from a device, such as sounds or images. As with many concepts and technology tools that I have interacted with in this course, this was my first time ever using a Google Cardboard to enter a Virtual Reality, and I must say it was pretty cool! I could immediately see the ways this tech tool could support student learning and the numerous connections I could make to its use in the classroom. As with any technology, the likelihood of a teacher using something in his or her classroom goes up when that teacher feels confident using it him- or herself (I can vouch for this statement on a personal level – if I don’t know something works first, I’m probably not going to attempt it in front of my students for the first time). So, we began with some explorations of VR using Google Cardboards and cell phone Apps such as Google Expeditions, and AR using an App called Aurasma. After the exploration period, we had a discussion on how these two different technologies could be applied to the classroom and type of learners would benefit from its affordances.
Students in elementary schools would love learning through this technology. It’s fun and exciting and opens a digital world to them they probably never even knew existed. Even more specifically, I could see this technology being incredibly beneficial to English Language Learners, as it adds so many more layers to their every day cognitions. VR and AR combines images, videos and sounds together to allow students to gather a much more in-depth understanding of something than if they simply read about it in a book or on a website. For example, if students are learning about different countries around the world, why not take them to some of these countries to see what they really look like and sound like, all through the simple tool of VR. This tool also promotes the theory of multiple intelligences, as it combines visual and spatial information with auditory information as well, creating a complete understanding of a concept or idea. Now that I have had the chance to practice using this tool, I can’t wait for the opportunity to use it in the classroom. -Ms. Coleman
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8/10/2022 11:53:15 am
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AuthorJessica Coleman holds a Bachelor of Education as well as an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences, both from the University of Ottawa. She is an Ontario College of Teachers certified teacher, currently working towards a Masters of Education degree at uOttaw, as well. Archives
September 2018
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