Virtual Reality
What is it?
Virtual reality is an interactive computer-generated experience that takes place in a simulated interactive environment. Virtual Reality includes mainly auditory and visual feedback, but may also allow other types of sensory feedback as well. Virtual Reality is an immersive environment and it can be similar to the real world or it can be fantastical. The computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
The New
Technology is always growing and changing. With some of the new changes in technology came virtual reality. The virtual reality right now is most commonly used for entertainment in the form of video games. People use virtually realty through Play Station. The virtual reality in the classroom is used through are Samsung Gear Virtual Reality, Nearpod, and Google Cardboard. All of these headsets have their own advantages and disadvantages and they are all meant better for different things. The best one for your classroom is the one that fits your personal needs best.
Samsung Gear VR
This type of virtual reality was not designed for educational purposes. Samsung Gear was the first type of virtual reality to come out. Samsung has released some programs that can be used for education but its primary goal has never been education. Samsung sells a headset that is about 150 dollars. With Samsung being the most expensive virtual reality gear out there it might not be the best choice but if the school has the funding it is pretty interactive and. a great option.
Nearpod
Is a virtual reality application that you can use with almost any device such as iPad, Mac Book, PC, and Chromebook. If your school is already connected with one of these devices Nearpod could be a good choice for you. Nearpod is an application with an optional headset available. The headset is not necessary in order to use the application but might be helpful to enhance the student’s experience. Nearpod is meant for education so it has things such as virtual field trips and lesson plans available within the software. Nearpod is a good choice for schools because it does not require any extra hardware to purchase.
Google Cardboard
Google Cardboard is meant specifically for the classroom setting and was designed to meet the needs of many classrooms. The headsets needed are only 8 to fifteen dollars and connect to almost any smartphone. This could be useful because the students can even use this technology at home. Google cardboard allows students to access virtual field trips and many more learning opportunities.
https://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-using-virtual-reality
What is best for your classroom?
