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Global Technology
Today we were asked to research virtual reality in classrooms. I chose YouTube 360 because with this you can visit any place in the world without the limitation of not being able to look around you. You can visit other countries, space, the ocean, wildlife, etc. It makes it much easier to demonstrate certain places to your students and engages them more because they feel like they are actually in this other place. You can even make your own videos (or find videos) to share with other educators that may work in places where they can’t visit other places. Most schools cannot afford to visit a new place for every lesson plan, but with YouTube 360 they don’t need to. You can visit any place in the world from the comfort of your own classroom, and even visit the same places as other educators. This helps with collaboration because more educators will have access to the same resources, helping them come together to create intricate lesson plans. I am a strong believer that the more people work on a project, the better the quality of it is because you have so many backgrounds and knowledgeable people working together towards a common goal, to better education for students everywhere. Bigger and reputable organizations such as National Geographic create YouTube 360 videos of places that teachers would not have access to otherwise such as Viking battles, the ocean, space, wildlife, Antarctica, etc.
This is one of many videos that explore different parts and eras of the world. There are many creators that have made playlists with a variety of YouTube 360 videos for others to use and even share with others, the video above is 1/68 YouTube 360 videos. You can even combine this technological tool with other tools to create lesson plans and share with others. Some educators use GPT API to have it create some lesson and edit it to better fit your classroom, and even share with others. Here is an example of a teacher who created a lesson plan with AI and shared it on X for other educators.
The use of AI in classrooms has drastically changed how teachers can present information to their students and format lesson plans, and social media platforms have changed how much access educators have to new ideas and tools. It is important to research what AI you want to use with your students so you can use it to its fullest potential, as well as share with others who could better the work you have already started. AI and VR can make learning better, and it is important that we, as educators, know how to properly use these tools to give our children (and children in other parts of the world) the best education possible.
Nearpod – AR/VR and Global Collaboration
With the assistance of the web and mobile applications, Nearpod allows educators to make and distribute intriguing multimedia presentations to their students. With Nearpod, teachers and educators are able to quickly incorporate interactive elements like polls, quizzes, and videos into their presentations
With Nearpod’s extensive lesson library and customizable lesson creation tools, there are countless options for global collaboration and discovery.
I was able to find this sample lesson plan for teachers in the elementary and middle school level that they can use to incorporate Nearpod in their classroom. In this students use the Nearpod collaborative board to answer questions they know about state capitals and then after an interactive slide in Nearpod will educate them about state capitals and states. The objective is for students to know what a state capital is, name at least ten states and capitals and also know the number of states in the country.
Lesson plans like these showcase how useful Nearpod can be in a classroom and how it can foster collaboration between students. With Nearpod, you will also be able to collaborate globally with other people. in your classroom. It also showcases how technology is the future in classrooms and learning how to properly introduce tech inside of classrooms is important.
Virtual Reality Could be the Future of Education
Virtual Reality is quickly evolving and becoming a second world through our eyes. To be able to see different worlds and experience things through a headset can mean students can be exposed to more educational resources. Students can learn about other countries, anatomy, the ocean, and much more with one simple tool.
Students can take a quick trip to France in 40 minutes within their class period with a VR headset. VR allows the users to see different things easily, and very realistically. Virtual Reality can bring more engagement into the classroom as well because not only is it informational, but it is a fun experience for students. It can give the students something to look forward to in school. Virtual Reality allows students to see things in different dimensions, different countries, space… mostly anything you can think of. VR headsets can be very beneficial in the classroom.
In terms of Global Collaboration, students will easily be able to see into a different country and interactively see it themselves. Using Virtual Reality to teach students about other countries can be more impactful because the students will be able to see the world in their own eyes without actually being there, and it is very different than just looking at a photo. It gives the students more interest in wanting to see more of the world and learn about what is going on in different places.
Virtual Reality can be a great resource in the classroom for many different reasons. Schools should look more into these devices because the benefits and convenience of using them are unbeatable for what these simple devices can do!
Thank you for reading!
Embracing the Future: Virtual Reality in Classrooms and the Gateway to Global Collaboration
In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, the integration of virtual reality (VR) into classrooms has emerged as a groundbreaking development. This technology transcends traditional learning methods, offering immersive and interactive experiences that significantly enhance educational outcomes. But perhaps the most exciting aspect of VR in education is its potential to foster global collaboration, paving the way for a more interconnected and understanding world.
Virtual reality has revolutionized the way students learn and interact with educational content. By creating a three-dimensional, interactive environment, VR allows students to explore concepts and scenarios that would otherwise be inaccessible. This immersive experience leads to better engagement, improved retention of information, and an overall more enjoyable learning process.
Imagine a history class where students can virtually walk through ancient civilizations, or a biology lesson where they can explore the human body from the inside. VR makes these scenarios possible, transforming abstract concepts into tangible experiences.
The true potential of VR in the classroom, however, lies in its ability to connect students across the globe. Here’s how VR contributes to successful global collaboration:
- Breaking Down Geographical Barriers: VR allows students from different parts of the world to interact in a shared virtual space. This technology eliminates the physical and logistical constraints of traditional international exchanges.
- Cultural Exchange and Understanding: Through collaborative VR projects, students can experience and understand diverse cultures more intimately. This fosters empathy and respect, essential components for successful global collaboration.
- Language Learning and Practice: VR provides an immersive environment for language learning, where students can practice with native speakers in real-life scenarios, without ever leaving their classroom.
- Global Problem Solving: By collaborating in virtual environments, students can work together on global issues like climate change or sustainable development, promoting a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.
Numerous schools and institutions have already begun to harness the power of VR for global collaboration. For instance, a project connecting students in the United States with their counterparts in Syria used VR to share experiences and perspectives, breaking down misconceptions and building bridges between diverse communities.
Another example is a global environmental science program, where students from various countries collaborate in a VR space to understand and address environmental challenges. These real-world applications highlight the immense potential of VR in fostering global understanding and cooperation.
The use of virtual reality in classrooms is not just about technological advancement; it’s about shaping a new generation of globally-minded individuals. As VR becomes more accessible and its applications in education more widespread, we can look forward to a future where students are not only well-educated but also more empathetic and connected to their global peers. The possibilities for collaboration and mutual understanding are limitless, and it’s up to us to harness this potential to its fullest.
As we stand on the brink of this new educational era, it’s essential for educators, policymakers, and technology developers to work together to ensure that VR technology is used to its maximum potential in classrooms around the world. The future is here, and it’s virtual. Let’s embrace it to create a more connected, collaborative, and understanding world.
Reference:
- Grammar Check and re-correction : ChatGPT v3.5 & Grammarly, 12/10/2023.
Nearpod – The Future of Technology in the Classroom?
Nearpod is one of the leading websites in creating interactive classroom experiences. The website has a wide library of over 22,000 pre-made videos, lessons, and activities from numerous educational publishers. Nearpod also lets teachers create their own lessons, with the ability to upload videos, PDFs, and slideshows to implement into virtual or augmented reality. These lessons are customizable, with over twenty different formats for assessments and media experiences.
Nearpod’s wide array of lessons, and ability to create one’s own lessons, allows for a near endless pool of opportunities for global collaboration and exploration. For example, in this featured lesson plan students are able to take a virtual reality trip to Hong Kong to explore the celebration of Lunar New Year and the traditions behind it, which also features an extensive lesson on the holiday as well as its impacts on culture in the United States. Thus, through lessons like these, students are able to immerse themselves into cultures and regions all across the world, and thus increase global collaboration through mutual understanding and learning about, and through, each other.
Overall, nearpod’s structure is very conducive to enhanced, or even transformative student learning, and allows for increased immersion into other cultures and places across the world, all without having to leave the classroom. The potential impacts a program like this may be the future of increasing global collaboration and learning in the classroom, even from an early age.
Resources:
https://nearpod.com/how-nearpod-works
https://nearpod.com/nearpod-library
https://nearpod.com/t/social-studies/3rd/an-introduction-to-lunar-new-year-35-L109601499
Excitement About Virtual Learning
For this week’s blog post I explored the WE Learning Center. This website provides many tools for educators to use to make teaching and learning better. A tool that I am excited to use are the workshops on the website. These workshops include educational information as well as games such as Bingo to better engage students in the topic of discussion. I am excited to use this tool because it can be added to a lesson plan or used as a lesson plan. Additionally, if I cannot apply any of the workshops to whatever topic I am teaching, I can use the workshops as a template for my lesson plan and for activities to do with my students.
The next virtual learning tool that I am excited to utilize is the teacher courses. These courses provide information provide worksheets for not only students but educators as well. These courses cover many different topics, and you can take the ones specific to things you may be unclear on regarding to teaching. Each course has a worksheet paired with to ensure that the educator thoroughly understood the information given to them. This website not only has tools to introduce in the classroom but also has tools to handle different and maybe difficult topics in the classroom.
This virtual learning center also has a video library filled with different types of videos to educate others. I am excited to use this tool when I feel as though someone else may present a topic better. Other people have different ways of looking at things so introducing new people to your classroom (such as the ones in this video library), which could help my students to learn how to look at things from a different perspective.
Changemakers in the Future Classrooms
Using tech for good in our future classrooms is very important.
Tech can be utilized to teach and fosters students educational growth.
This website provided a list of websites teachers can use to help utilize in their classrooms to engage with their students better.
The website also provides other resources like how to fight against racism in classrooms and schools.
There are many other resources like videos as well.
Use this website and the resources provided to make a change in future classrooms. It is important that we utilize these tools to further improve our classrooms and create the best environment for students in the future to learn and foster their education.
Empowering Change Makers: A Dive into WE Charity’s Educational Resources and Tools
Exploring the diverse array of resources and tools offered by WE Charity, particularly through its WE Schools program, reveals an impressive commitment to empowering educators and students alike. These resources are designed to address critical social issues while fostering key skills necessary for students to become confident, future-ready global citizens.
Educational Resources and Training: The WE Teachers hub stands out as a gateway to a trove of free resources and training. This platform supports teachers in addressing critical social issues with their classes. By registering, educators join a community of like-minded professionals and gain exclusive access to tools needed to help students become active, engaged citizens.
WE Schools Service-Learning Resources and Activities: This program offers issues-based lesson plans and activities that encourage students to take action on local and global issues. The focus is on building essential skills like resilience, empathy, and problem-solving. These resources are invaluable for integrating service learning into the curriculum, offering students practical ways to engage with the world around them.
Teacher Resources for Professional Development: Teachers can access resources focused on trauma-informed practices, professional development, and training. This includes building a community with fellow educators who share a commitment to transformative education. These resources aid teachers in enhancing their capacity to handle a range of social and emotional challenges in the educational setting.
Video-on-Demand Library: An innovative feature is the video-on-demand library, which offers access to a range of events and workshops. These resources, featuring special guests and focusing on relevant themes, serve as an excellent educational supplement for both students and teachers.
Service-Learning Student Toolkit: This toolkit includes checklists, worksheets, and other materials to help students explore social issues, track their progress, and reflect on their experiences. It’s particularly useful for students interested in leadership roles in service clubs and provides a structured approach to service learning.
Each of these resources offers a unique approach to education, emphasizing the development of social awareness, emotional intelligence, and practical skills for making a positive impact in the world. WE Charity’s commitment to providing these tools reflects their holistic approach to education, where learning extends beyond the classroom into the realm of social responsibility and global citizenship.
Reference :
- WE Schools , website: we.org/school .
- Grammar Recorrect,Revised and edited by Arnab Das Utsa, using OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Grammarly. Date of revision : December 2, 2023.
The WE Are Innovators Campaign
After visiting the WE Virtual Learning Center, I researched resources and different topics for the classroom. I found this great campaign that will benefit many students as well as people around the world. Many topics are brought to the spotlight in this lesson, and I thought that was a good approach to teaching students about the problems other countries and people face in this world that aren’t talked about enough.
WE Virtual Learning Center has created a campaign called the WE Are Innovators Campaign which will teach students about real-world issues and other countries that are struggling. Not only will the students learn about those issues, but they will learn how to help and make a positive difference in the world.
This screenshot above is the opening page but also does a great way of explaining what the campaign is and what it’s made for. This campaign is made for grades 4-12 and within every age group, there is a lesson plan adapted to their grade and learning levels. There are different activities that are made for every age group.
This lesson plan has different topics to teach students how to be innovative, some of those topics are:
- Inclusive and Sustainable Innovation
- Energy and Housing
- Food Waste
- Transportation Solutions
- Circular Economy and Nature
These are very prominent topics for students to learn about so they will have the opportunity to make a difference and educate others so they can make a difference too.
WE Virtual Learning Center provides many different resources for educators to teach their students about everyday issues. Many different topics can be found on their website, and all of them will be beneficial for students to learn about. Some day I would like to teach my students about these global issues just like WE learning has presented because I think it is very important for students to learn about what is going on in the world.
Thank you for reading!
Innovative Tools to Make Learning Better
In this blog post I am going to be overlooking seven tools that could be useful in the classroom. The first tool that I am going to be discussing is called Google Classroom. With this tool, teachers are able to start video meetings, create classrooms where they can upload and grade assignments, post announcements, etc. Everything that teachers do in an everyday classroom, they are now able to do virtually from anywhere with the help of Google Classroom. Students are able to check assignments and they due dates as well as any feedback from their teacher. Overall, it takes all the most important elements of a classroom and makes it virtual, making it more organized and accessible to students.
The next tool that I will be discussing is called Google Docs. This is an application built into Google where you can create documents. This tool itself also has features built into it to make it easier to use. It comes with templates so you can just edit your information into an already built format. Its other features include typing with your voice, grammar check, keyboard shortcuts, using a braille display, customization, etc. It allows users to make any document their own and have features to accommodate everyone, optimizing how many educators are able to use it in their classrooms.
The third tool I will be reviewing is called VoiceOver. This tool was designed to make learning and reading easier for blind students. It can also be used to help students who learn better audibly rather than visually by reading. When using this tool, you are able to select the level of speech you prefer including speech, braille, text, announcements, and hints, all ranging from low, medium, and high. You will be able to choose the verbosity (how wordy you would like the voice over to be). In addition, you are able to select from two female voices and two male voices, as well as a customizable voice, truly accommodating everyone. Another feature called navigation allows you to use this voice over feature across the web and for any website of your choosing.
The next tool is National Geographic Kids. This tool provides games and multimedia to engage students in learning about animals, habitats, countries, and cultures. Students can explore this website and research different topics through magazines and other forms of media. There are also closed captions to make the resources more accessible to all students.
Another tool educators can use to make learning better is EdClub. This is a learning tool for students to learn typing, vocabulary, and spelling. It combines learning with games, which could engage more students as many of them would prefer learning through games rather than through worksheets and other typical learning techniques. Teachers are able to create customizable lessons through this application to create a lesson that best suits their classroom.
Google Meet is another great tool to incorporate technology into classrooms. With this application, teachers can host virtual meetings and teach through that. This was a big application used during COVID. Teachers can even screen share, put students into break out rooms for group assignments, students can share comments, etc. Educators can also use this to create a google meet with any special guest they want to talk to their class.
Pear Deck is an interactive slide show that presents students with information and asks them questions along the lesson to make sure that students are paying attention and understand the material given. Teachers can customize lessons with this as well as customizable learning checks. Educators can also upload their existing lessons and combine it with the tools in pear deck.
The last useful tool you can incorporate into your classroom is called Google Calendar. With this you can schedule when assignments are due and have it remind your students. You can also color code different reminders so you can better organize what needs to be done. This can be used with google classroom to send out reminders to your students as to when assignments are due and special events you want them to remember.
