Blog 5 - Virtual Reality in Education

In recent years, the advancement of technology has paved the way for new methods of teaching and learning, and one such method that has gained significant traction is the integration of virtual reality (VR) in education (McGovern, Moreira, G., & Luna-Nevarez, 2020).

Virtual Reality is an immersive technology that allows users to interact with a simulated environment by sensing and responding to their real-time reactions and motions (Tussyadiah, Wang, Jung & Dieck, 2018). There are two main types of virtual reality:

1. Desktop virtual reality, which involves the use of a VR headset connected to a computer. Users interact with the virtual environment through avatars or hand-held controllers (Yang, Cheng and Jeng, 2010).

2. Immersive virtual reality, which provides a more advanced and realistic VR experience using 360-degree displays or multiple displays. In this type of VR, users can physically move and act within the virtual environment (Yang, Cheng and Jeng, 2010).

In the classroom, virtual reality has created more opportunities for students and teachers to enhance learning and engagements (McGovern, Moreira, G., & Luna-Nevarez, 2020). As stated by Neumann & Patterson (2022), virtual reality has the potential to offer students immersive and engaging learning experiences. The interactive and game-like nature of VR can enhance student engagement and confidence in learning, while also fostering creativity and collaboration among learners.

While the integration of virtual reality in classrooms presents several benefits, there are also challenges that need to be considered. One of the main challenges is the cost of implementing VR technology, which can be prohibitive for schools with limited resources. Additionally, some VR hardware may not be appropriate for younger students and has seen to cause motion sickness, which could limit its potential use in early education. Another challenge is the need for additional support and training for teachers to effectively integrate VR into the curriculum (Neumann & Patterson, 2022).

Despite challenges, implementing virtual reality in the classroom offers many benefits that educators should strive to utilise to enhance learning.

A simple tool that educators can use to introduce VR into the classroom is Google Earth VR. Google Earth VR" - This game allows students to explore the world in 3D, making it a great tool for teaching geography and cultural studies (Google, 2023).

Video: Screen recording of using the app on my phone (Google, 2023).

Without the need for a login, I downloaded the app onto my phone within seconds and began using it im

mediately. As shown in my video, I was able to explore any location at street level, seamlessly travelling from Macquarie University to Paris in mere seconds. This tool could prove highly effective at the beginning of a lesson, as students can engage with real-life images that directly relate to their learning, potentially enhancing their understanding and engagement with the subject matter.

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REFERENCES

Google. (2023). Google Earth VR. https://arvr.google.com/earth/

McGovern, Moreira, G., & Luna-Nevarez, C. (2020). An application of virtual reality in education: Can this technology enhance the quality of students’ learning experience? Journal of Education for Business, 95(7), 490–496. https://doi.org/10.1080/08832323.2019.1703096

Neumann, Keioskie, M. K., Patterson, D., & Neumann, D. L. (2022). Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality: Benefits and Barriers for Early Childhood Education. Childhood Education, 98(4), 68–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2022.2108298

Tussyadiah, Wang, D., Jung, T. H., & tom Dieck, M. C. (2018). Virtual reality, presence, and attitude change: Empirical evidence from tourism. Tourism Management (1982), 66, 140–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.12.003

Yang, Chen, C. H., & Chang Jeng, M. (2010). Integrating video-capture virtual reality technology into a physically interactive learning environment for English learning. Computers and Education, 55(3), 1346–1356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.06.005

ChatGPT has been used for the final edit of this post.

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