Across the globe, classrooms use virtual reality for field trips, science experiments, immersive simulations, and much more. Virtual reality is a promising addition to the growing field of educational technology because of its immersive experiences. Students can now share information in new and engaging ways with people worldwide and have hands-on experiences that would have otherwise been difficult due to cost or physical distance. With VR technologies, students can interact with virtual objects and other individuals in real-time. Using VR and Global Collaborations allows us to facilitate learning in a new and meaningful way.

These virtual experiences have transcended physical space limitations to create educational opportunities that otherwise would not have been physically possible, such as space and time travel or manipulating enlarged models of microscopic objects. With the use of VR, teachers have included a variety of gamified approaches to learning in various subjects, which have increased classroom engagement.

To help bring VR to the classrooms, schools needed to find VR viewer tools that fit their budget. Helping to keep costs low, google created a cardboard viewer into which you a insert a smartphone. Users can build a viewer from simple, low-cost components using specifications published by Google or purchase a pre-manufactured one. To use the platform, users run Cardboard-compatible mobile apps on their phones, place them into the viewer’s back, and view content through the lenses.

In the classroom, many AR/VR applications can be used. One of the sites I found great for the school was Nearpod. Nearpod is a free application that helps to transform your students’ devices into powerful learning tools. From interactive controlled lessons to live student responses to customizable and ready-to-teach tasks. The app also gives teachers over 25 interactive activities that help to keep the engagement going throughout the studies. Some of these tools include:

• LIVE, interactive lessons
• quizzes
• open ended questions
• draw, type, and highlight on slides
• polls
• virtual field trips
• 3D objects
• and much more!

From exploring diverse historical perspectives to teaching language authentically, Nearpod brings the world into every classroom. Nearpod’s World Ready program supports schools and districts in preparing students for the global economy of today and tomorrow. With Nearpod, teachers can create their interactive lessons or use one of the premade lessons on their site. There are many engaging lessons, such as World Cultures and Globalization. Here, students can explore primary sources and dynamic multimedia to analyze diverse historical perspectives and make modern-day connections to the past.

If you would like to learn more about Nearpod, come check out their website at this link.

Thanks for checking out my blog post!

Bayta O.