Immersive Games, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality
Immersive Games
Immersive games can be a great way to demonstrate learning. A fantastic example that was mentioned today was that of a student using Minecraft to demonstrate their knowledge of electrical circuits. It is a great space that allows students to imagine, create, and explore in a 3-dimensional space. It also allows students choice in ways to demonstrate their learning, which can be in a manner they are excited about.
Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality allows that you integrate objects into your reality. Using a device in conjunction with an app allows you to superimpose media content onto an object in the real world.
This can be an overlay of digital media on top of a real world view e.g. Google maps and Pokemon. This can be a great tool to enhance the learning of English Language Learners through incorporating objects that appear when viewing letters cards. For instance, the student uses a device to scan the letter card "Mm" and a 3-D monkey appears. This is a fun and interactive way for students to learn associated words with letters and allows 2-D images to come to life. Students will be interested and engaged with this new technology. This would also be a great tool to use as Assistive Technology or for use with visual learners. This kind of technology and method to enhance learning might also engage reluctant learners.
Check out Animal 4D+, and Elements 4D for more information on these great programs.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is putting yourself into a virtual world which you can explore as though it is your reality. A great example of implementing VR in the classroom is as a tool to enhance descriptive writing. Students are able to use Google Cardboard in conjunction with a smart phone and the street view of Google Maps. Students are given the opportunity to "go anywhere" in the world and look at their surroundings. Students will then use descriptive writing to describe their surroundings in detail to their peers and teacher.
Another example is to integrate this technology with the Grade 5 levels of government unit. Google cardboard is used in conjunction with Google Maps, street view, to identify levels of government in their school's community. E.g. Identify road work as municipal level of government.
Virtual Reality can be particularly beneficial in Math. Students will be able to conceptualize mathematical concepts in 3 dimensions, bringing abstract concepts to life. Students might use something like google cardboard or the more expensive Oculus Rift and Touch to investigate mathematical concepts, such as shifting an object on the Cartesian Plane. Students will be interested, excited, engaged, and smiling!
Interested in more ways to use Google Cardboard? Check out Class Tech Tips' 5 Apps to use with Google Cardboard and Virtual Reality for Education.
Works Cited
Animal 4D+. Retrieved on March 19, 2017 from: https://www.octagonstudio.com/en/product/1/animal-4d-cards
Class Tech Tips. Retrieved on March 19, 2017 from: http://classtechtips.com/2016/07/01/5-apps-use-google-cardboard/?platform=hootsuite
Elements 4D. Retrieved on March 19, 2017 from: http://elements4d.daqri.com
Google Cardboard. Retrieved on March 19, 2017 from: https://vr.google.com/cardboard/
Minecraft. Retrieved on March 19, 2017 from: https://minecraft.net/en-us/
Oculus. Retrieved March 19, 2017 from: https://www.oculus.com/rift/
Virtual Reality for Education. Retrieved n March 19, 207 from: http://virtualrealityforeducation.com
