https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy VR can be used in a variety of disciplines both in classroom and in distance education. en-us 2023-09-22 11:52:32 UTC 2023-09-22 13:22:25 UTC hello@padlet.com https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*u9E_tiaCY980rEJVePum_Q.jpeg higdonjj https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716263437 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.]]> 2023-09-22 12:18:57 UTC https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716263437 higdonjj https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716267108 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.]]> 2023-09-22 12:21:59 UTC https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716267108 higdonjj https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716291102 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.]]> 2023-09-22 12:40:29 UTC https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716291102 higdonjj https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716298833 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.]]> 2023-09-22 12:46:07 UTC https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716298833 higdonjj https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716303968 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.]]> 2023-09-22 12:50:16 UTC https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716303968 higdonjj https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716319358 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.]]> 2023-09-22 13:01:44 UTC https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716319358 higdonjj https://padlet.com/higdonjj/khyykk6uz03761xy/wish/2716319681 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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