This week we were asked to investigate the possibilities of using virtual reality in the classroom. We discussed the advantages and disadvantages. Do I think virtual worlds give students a better learning experience than real world experiences? In some cases, yes! There are many different
types of virtual reality. I agree that virtual reality field trips and online simulations can imitate the actual event and can offer a better education rather than the traditional method of talking about something or in some cases doing it in real life. An example is a student training to be a pilot.
Obviously the simulation does not take the place of the real thing, but if a student is training how to be a pilot, I think he or she would feel more comfortable and less stressful learning in a simulation where one little mistake would not lead to them falling down and crashing. Another example where a simulation can be better than the real world experience is a drinking and driving simulation. When I was in high school we had a car come to our school that was programed to turn and act like you had been drinking. Even to this day, anytime I have a glass of wine I think about that simulation in high
school. I can remember trying to turn the wheel to of the car, but it wouldn’t let me because there was a delay depicting a person’s reaction time after they had been drinking. Needless to say I hit lots of cones that day and did not stay in my own lane! I don’t think a teacher sitting in a classroom talking about how drinking impairs your ability to drive would have impacted my learning the same as the simulation. Virtual Field trips give students the ability to see, hear and navigate through an experience that could not be possible in the classroom. Should students only go on virtual field trips and not experience real ones? No! I’m saying that in some circumstances virtual field trips make the
experience seem more real and possible. For example, if you live in Colorado taking a field trip to Washington DC in Kindergarten is more than likely not going to happen. So the next best thing is showing the students a virtual field trip of “the house.” Every class is different, every child learns differently. I think teachers are smart enough to make decisions weather or not simulation or virtual field trips would be more appropriate than the real world experience. Below is a map showing some examples of virtual reality sites teachers could use in their classroom.
types of virtual reality. I agree that virtual reality field trips and online simulations can imitate the actual event and can offer a better education rather than the traditional method of talking about something or in some cases doing it in real life. An example is a student training to be a pilot.
Obviously the simulation does not take the place of the real thing, but if a student is training how to be a pilot, I think he or she would feel more comfortable and less stressful learning in a simulation where one little mistake would not lead to them falling down and crashing. Another example where a simulation can be better than the real world experience is a drinking and driving simulation. When I was in high school we had a car come to our school that was programed to turn and act like you had been drinking. Even to this day, anytime I have a glass of wine I think about that simulation in high
school. I can remember trying to turn the wheel to of the car, but it wouldn’t let me because there was a delay depicting a person’s reaction time after they had been drinking. Needless to say I hit lots of cones that day and did not stay in my own lane! I don’t think a teacher sitting in a classroom talking about how drinking impairs your ability to drive would have impacted my learning the same as the simulation. Virtual Field trips give students the ability to see, hear and navigate through an experience that could not be possible in the classroom. Should students only go on virtual field trips and not experience real ones? No! I’m saying that in some circumstances virtual field trips make the
experience seem more real and possible. For example, if you live in Colorado taking a field trip to Washington DC in Kindergarten is more than likely not going to happen. So the next best thing is showing the students a virtual field trip of “the house.” Every class is different, every child learns differently. I think teachers are smart enough to make decisions weather or not simulation or virtual field trips would be more appropriate than the real world experience. Below is a map showing some examples of virtual reality sites teachers could use in their classroom.