One tool I keep going back to this week is the VR headset. My own children have a VR headset that I basically ignore and think of as a video game. The information from the video from Learning and Technology with Frank (2021) got me to look at the device differently. I even downloaded some content on the headset and found a virtual tour of the ISS that was free (and really neat). I can see how engaging this technology could be for students. The video didn’t provide any discussion of drawbacks. When we got our VR headset, there were definitely guidelines to not use the device if you are under a certain age and concerns about how long to use the device. Still, I find this to be something of value and obviously a potentially motivating device for students.
Another tool that stood out to me this week was the double robot. The video from Double Robotics (2015) and the use of the double robot for a homebound student was incredible. I’ve worked with special education students since I was in high school and this warmed my heart. I think this speaks for itself as to how it can be used in the classroom. Assisting students to have access to the classroom is top priority in my book. The use of double robots would open doors for so many students.
I used QR creator to make my QR code. It took less than 5 minutes. It was so easy! I never spent much time thinking about QR codes but I do know that I never thought it would be this easy and painless. I linked another double robotics video to my QR code. This is a video from a hospital right in my area.
I took a virtual field trip to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. It was incredible that I could turn and look at all the sides of the exhibits and even turn corners down the exhibit hallways. I was even able to read a lot of the plaques next to the dioramas. It was also accompanied by text that told me more about the hall I was visiting or about the subject down that hall. I could even see parts of a gift shop. Although that wasn’t very informative it added to the experience and made it feel more real. My favorite was the Hall of Ocean Life.
References
Double Robotics. (2016, January 11). Case study: Bon Secours health system + double robotics [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrBaHBSXdqk
Double Robotics. (2015, June 17). Case study: Seabasticook Valley middle school + digital robotics [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aln1V0rtCkE
Learning and Technology with Frank. (2021, December 14). Metaverse for education- 5 ways to use virtual reality in schools [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WogQ0X4ITHM
Thank you for linking to the double robotics video. It was very interesting.
Thank you.
Very cool video! I like the concept of a “connected conversation.” I’ll have to check out your virtual field trip. It sounds great!
Thank you. I liked that concept too. The Dr seems very committed to his patients.
I own a Quest 2 VR headset and I highly recommend the YouTube VR app! There are many great 360 VR videos that are really cool to experience. And they would be really awesome in a school setting.
That’s really cool that you were able to experiment more with your own VR set in your house. I thought when they first came out that they were more of a game and didn’t realize how much more potential they have for other areas as well!
That’s kinda cool that this class got you to look at your children’s toys differently. It’s fun you can experiment at home with them now and show your children new things too, or maybe they will show you! I too thought the Double Robotics video was pretty awesome. It is exciting to see how technology can change a student’s life and she was able to interact with her peers from home.