VR in Education
WHY: Educational theory in recent times has tended to skew towards constructivism. Constructivism, as a theory, refers to knowledge that is built upon experiences and the reflection of those experiences. If that is the case, we should want our students "experiencing" in our classroom rather than gathering. Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality, is the gateway to experiencing in a new way! The traditional way of learning did offer "experience" in other ways, no doubt, but our students are changing because of the massive shift in information and entertainment in the greater society.
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WHAT: Virtual Reality in Education offers educators the opportunity to help students experience, mostly through vision at this point, in the classroom that were unattainable before. For example, Geography students can view land features from anywhere in the world through a first person view rather than second person view. VR in the classroom does not have to mean "gaming," although it can. Gaming does have a role in education, and it is changing dramatically, but VR can be quick and easy too.
CONSIDER: There are many options for hardware and software when considering virtual reality. Just like the tech boom a decade or two ago, it has become obvious that the smarter companies are investing in software and applications first, and then hardware. Google led the way with this through their Google Cardboard Program.
Apps
Google StreetView - Get the Google Street View App (for iPhone) for the easiest VR experience. Students can look at the world through their iPad, as if it were a window.
Microsoft Skype Virtual FieldTrips - Easily set up virtual field trips with experts in the real world. Just pick the date and sign up!
Google Expeditions - Help guide students through a 360° virtual photo tour.
Stargazer - look at the constellations through your iPad. Move the iPad around to view different directions.
YouTube 360° Channel - Explore 360° videos from many different sources.
Discovery VR - VR videos made by Discovery. Very well done videos.
Aurasma - an App that uses AR to place information around a specific area.
Google Arts and Culture - Explore artwork and cultural stories through the Google Arts and Culture App. Links HQ photos, videos, and writing.
Microsoft Skype Virtual FieldTrips - Easily set up virtual field trips with experts in the real world. Just pick the date and sign up!
Google Expeditions - Help guide students through a 360° virtual photo tour.
Stargazer - look at the constellations through your iPad. Move the iPad around to view different directions.
YouTube 360° Channel - Explore 360° videos from many different sources.
Discovery VR - VR videos made by Discovery. Very well done videos.
Aurasma - an App that uses AR to place information around a specific area.
Google Arts and Culture - Explore artwork and cultural stories through the Google Arts and Culture App. Links HQ photos, videos, and writing.