Virtual reality is a name that is used to describe a three-dimensional, computer-created world or environment that people can interact with. Virtual reality is a great technological tool to use in the classroom. The article, Cultivating New Levels of Student Engagement through Virtual Reality, shares that virtual reality helps with student retention by eliminating the detachment between students and and content through an immersive experience. The students in this article and video (posted below) use Google Earth simulations.

A memorable quote from this video is, “virtual reality… it provides… an experience anchor to the instruction that we can’t duplicate in another way”.

This form of teaching through virtual reality has endless possibilities. A good source for some lessons in teaching with virtual reality can actually be found in this New York Times article called Virtual Reality Curriculum Guide: Experience, Immersion and Excursion in the Classroom. There is a downloadable guide within this article that gives eight lesson ideas.

Virtual Reality is an incredible way to get students actively involved in subject matters if the resources are available. Fortunately, sites such as Google Maps and other virtual field trips are available for free when Internet is available.

Diane Hoffman