What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality is an emerging technology in the education system that allows students to step beyond the barrier of usual schooling experience, influencing them to use their creative thinking and think outside the box.
Virtual reality is defined as the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment which can be explored in 360 degrees (Research Guides: Virtual Reality in the Classroom: What Is VR?, n.d.)
There are many benefits to using VR in the classroom including better engagement of students, boosting students' creativity, and providing more learning possibilities. In a research study conducted by Guan et al. (2021) it was found that students that engaged with VR based learning were more creative with their work, and had higher cognitive engagement with the content material. This highlights how significant VR is in improving the learning and creativity of students.
(Mashable, 2014)
Virtual Reality Content on YouTube
Clouds Over Sidra 360
Using YouTube, students can access different VR experiences to boost their learning experience and creativity. For example, in tutorials we in engaged with a video named "Clouds Over Sidra" (Within, 2016), which provided a VR feature to allow us to pan 360 degrees in the video.
Screen recording of how this looks in VR.
Example of usage in class.
Using a video such as this one in class would be useful in fostering creativity in students. For example, these videos could be transferrable to different subject areas depending on their topic, allowing multiple possibilities for learning. For example, using "Clouds Over Sidra" (Within, 2016) in a history lesson would foster creative thinking in students as they get to experience the moment themselves to understand how the Syrian refugees would have felt. This would have a positive impact on their learning, as they can better relate to the content, hence transferring their knowledge.
This experience would be boosted if schools had access to VR goggles that have phone inserts. However a limitation of this would be that schools require phones to engage with this technology and fully immerse students.
CoSpaces
(CoSpaces Edu, 2020)
CoSpaces is another example of a VR technology that can foster students' creativity. CoSpaces allows students to create a virtual 3D environment with many different tools to provide them with different learning opportunities.
CoSpaces would be very useful in lots of different subject areas. For example, students could use this tool in English classes to creative a virtual experience based off a piece of creative writing they have produced prior. This allows students to be more creative and bring their writing piece to life with characters and environments, as well as virtually experiencing it themselves.
CoSpaces also allows students to collaborate, as there is a collaborative feature to allow students to work on the same project at once. This promotes creativity as it allows students to learn from each other and share their ideas while in the CoSpace.
While CoSpace has many creative benefits, it does have limitations. CoSpaces can be difficult to navigate for new users, hence teachers will need to familiarise themselves with it before using it with students.
Example of own CoSpaces creation.
References
CoSpaces Edu. (2020, April 8). CoSpaces Edu for schools - Explainer video [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv0uXADAVtI
Guan, J., Wang, L., Chen, Q., Jin, K., & Hwang, G. (2021). Effects of a virtual reality-based pottery making approach on junior high school students’ creativity and learning engagement. Interactive Learning Environments, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1871631
Mashable. (2014, April 15). What Is Virtual Reality & How Does It Work? | Mashable Explains [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBNH8tzsfVM
Research guides: Virtual Reality in the Classroom: What is VR? (n.d.). https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/c.php?g=607624&p=4938314
Within. (2016, January 27). Clouds Over Sidra [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUosdCQsMkM
Comments