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Gorman, D., Hoermann, S., Lindeman, R. W., & Shahri, B. (2022). Using Virtual Reality to Enhance Food Technology Education. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32(3), 1659–1677. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-021-09669-3

YILDIRIM, B., SAHİN TOPALCENGİZ, E., ARIKAN, G., & TİMUR, S. (2020). Using Virtual Reality in the Classroom: Reflections of STEM Teachers on the Use of Teaching and Learning Tools. Journal of Education in Science, Environment and Health, 6(3), 231–245. https://doi.org/10.21891/jeseh.711779

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The Possibilities:  An Immersive Technology

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The Possibilities:  An Immersive Technology

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Like my personal experience, virtual reality has a place in hands on training as an immersive technology (Gorman, et al., 2022).  NASA pilots, doctors, the military, and equipment operators, to name a few use VR as a simulation to a real life situation without compromising safety.

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Companies such as ClassVR have jumped on the virtual reality band wagon to provide classrooms with not only the headsets, but fully integrated lessons and curriculum activities and a suite of teacher controls as well as technology support.

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How are Schools Implementing Virtual Reality in the Classroom? Get our FREE guide today!

Our "50 Creative Ways to Use ClassVR" provides practical and inspiring lesson ideas directly from our customers. Learn how students of all ages have explored a wide range of state aligned content, find out how teachers have used VR and how you could spark learning opportunities in your school's classroom setting!

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ClassVR's standalone VR headset comes with a unique student-friendly interface, embedded educational VR & AR resources and simple-to-use teacher controls. Using technology in a busy classroom isn't always as easy as it should be. The ClassVR interface and teacher portal provide the simple-to-use tools needed to ensure this exciting and engaging technology can deliver a [...]

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Virtual Reality helps with memory encoding especially visual and acoustic encoding. In addition, it provides students the opportunity to move about to far away places while remaining in the classroom.

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When I was 16, I had the opportunity to visit the Snow Birds training facility in Regina, SK. With great pride, I was chosen to jump into the cockpit simulator and experience a flight as a pilot (ejecting from the plane included). It was amazing. Fast forward 30 years when I found myself at a marine science technology conference at the Woods Hole Institute of Oceanography where an exhibitor was promoting a virtual reality version of a winch and boom system to deploy various oceanographic equipment. I found myself, once again, chosen to be a tester. I obliged and I was blown away.

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VR encompasses a variety of technology categories including,

1.  Presentation technologies - it helps educators present content and instructional materials.
2.  Assistive technology - it is inclusive for students with mobility issues.
3.  Content-area technologies - it aids hands-on learning as a viable tool in experiential learning.

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Virtual Reality (VR) is not a new concept and has a variety of advantages and disadvantages in the classroom.

Advantages:
1.  It can promote experiential learning without having to leave the classroom or home (Gorman, et al., 2022).
2.  It can provide hands on learning without the concern about safety.
3.  It is inclusive for students with exceptionalities including mobility.
4.  It increases motivation, engagement, and creativity (Yildirim, et al., 2020).
5.  It improves technology literacy (Yildirim, et al., 2020).

Disadvantages:
1.  The technology is expensive.  While it is more accessible now than it was, it can still be a costly investment for schools as most students would not have their own headsets at home.
2.  Not all course topics have links to virtual reality - it is very discipline specific.
3.  It can be a time consuming exercise in the classroom and requires a certain level of technological literacy.