Week 13

Tapped In Questions:

By the way, sorry I just left Second Life on Tuesday, I couldn't find anyone, and I tried to transport to where you guys were, but it was going so slow, and I don't think I ever got there. So, I got to frustrated and logged off and went to bed because I was sick.

1. What is the value to me and my students for using virtual reality? I think there is a lot of value for myself along with my students for using virtual reality. From reading about virtual reality on line, I learned that it not only has to do with things like video games (which I am not interested in, but my students are) but it also has to do with education. For example (I think you mentioned this in class) you can take students on virtual field trips. That would be so great for my students, because some of them have never even been out of San Jose, and they are missing so much! They can actually go and see the world from their desk. Virtual field trips can be educational, or they can just be informational (like if they have never been to the beach or to the snow), my students need both!! Virtual reality can also work great for classes like science because you can get 3D objects, and students can actually disect things, and learn in a more hands on way, which my students need again. Plus, it seems like my students know how to interact more with a computer than they do with real human beings. This virtual stuff is pretty cool, I just had no idea that there was so much out there. Now I need to find some virtual stuff for math and language arts. It seems like there is a lot of stuff for science, history, social studies, art.

2. What types of VR would be appropriate for my student population?
I think that the virtual field trips would definately be appropriate for my student population. Also, the educational virtual reality in 3D for science, history, social studies, math would be beneficial to my students because it is more hands on, and they can actually see a picture in 3D. This would definately be appropriate for my students because it would help them understand the curriculum they are learning. As noted by one of the articles, this might also be beneficial to my students with ADD, because it might grab thier attention, and help them to understand the curriculum. Of course, if you are not paying attention, you will not learn, so maybe VR can help them focus and increase learning.

3. How can VR provide me students with enhanced access to:
a. functioning in the community?
VR is very concrete, and shows images that are very real. Because VR is so concrete, students can see images as they would really be, enhancing learning. For example, if a student needed to learn how to ride a bus, they can use VR to learn without having to actually go out in the community first. They can learn through VR because it is so real, then have the confidence to actually go out in the community to ride the bus. One of the articles mentioned that students with learning disabilities learn in very concrete ways, so VR would be perfect to help students learn because it is so concrete. Students can even learn how to go grocery shopping from home.

b. the curriculum?
Again, because VR is so concrete, students are able to grasp the idea that is being taught. Somewhere I read, (I can't remember) also mentioned that VR might help keep students focused in the learning environment. I have many students with short attention spans, and am constantly looking for ways to keep my students focused; this can be one of the ways. It is so hard to learn when you are not paying attention, so it is so important to keep students focused on the lesson you are teaching. VR can help with this, especially with the curriculum, that they might think is "boring." VR also offers more hands on activities, which is great for curriculum becasue many students need hands on activities to fully understand what they are trying to learn.

c. communication with peers?
VR can help teach sign language in a more concrete way, increaseing learning for communication. Also, as in the Second Life, you can communicate with peers from your home, even if they are thousands of miles away. That is pretty cool. Students can ask questions about an assignment they need to complete, or about a test they need to study for through VR. In another article, VR can help students who have a phobia of public speaking. I actually never thought of that, but it is true, if you are not standing in front of people, it does make it easier to speak, ask questions, or give your opinion. Many of my students hate giving presentations, or asking questions in front of a class, so VR might help them communicate with peers. One thing I worry about is that someday, they probably will have to communicate with real people, so I do think it is important to practice with real people, not just on VR. For students who have communication difficulties though, this would be an excellent way for them to be able to communicate with their peers, family, and anyone else they might want to commuincate with.