The Quest for Alternative Learning Experiences

Purpose & objective

Using the platforms of both Augmented Reality and Virtual reality students are truly able to immerse themselves in the learning. Budgets are always a constant challenge for schools. We plan to showcase tools and methods that are robust yet cost effective. For the budget conscious we will also be showcasing strategies and tools that are completely free. Here are example directions from our STEAM teacher in which we employed lab stations to introduce the Apollo Space Program. Students worked in different stations, one of which was a fully immersive Apollo 11 recreation using the Oculus Quest VR headset. On the other hand, schools may not be willing to invest in VR equipment just yet and are only ready to “dip their toes” into the AR/VR sphere. This is where there are tons of free and low cost apps available with little risk for the teacher. The objective of this session is to expose the audience to what is possible with AR/VR technology as well as show them just how easy it can be to get started with their existing lessons!

Outline

Presenter Introductions (2-3 minutes) Augmented Reality (25 minutes) - Audience members will go hands on with the Merge cube and develop their own mini-lesson. Merge Cube (15 minutes) MergeEDU Platform (10 minutes) Virtual Reality (25 minutes) - Audience members will be pulled to volunteer to experience each example themselves while the rest of the audience will be able to see a live stream on the screen of what that volunteer is seeing. Introduction to the Oculus Quest Social Studies/Historical Example (5-8 mins) Arts Example (5 mins) PE/Movement Example (3 mins) EngageVR Educational Platform demo (5 mins) Q&A (7-8 minutes)

Supporting research

- A virtual glimpse into the reality of future education; TIPPING POINT Traditional learning is about to be challenged by advanced, immersive technology that could inspire generations, reports Peter Cunliffe." Times [London, England], 5 Apr. 2017, p. 39. Global Issues in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A488630753/GIC?u=uphoenix_uopx&xid=f3bbd63e. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017. Increasing Student Development Through Multi-Level Immersive Learning: Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries Case Study Author: Bargar, Dylan International journal for service learning in engineering Date: 10/01/2016 - Domingo, J. R., & Bradley, E. G. (2018). Education student perceptions of virtual reality as a learning tool. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 46(3), 329-342. - Penland, J. L., Laviers, K., Bassham, E., & Nnochiri, V. (2019). Virtual Learning: A Study of Virtual Reality for Distance Education. In Handbook of Research on Blended Learning Pedagogies and Professional Development in Higher Education (pp. 156-176). IGI Global. - Ip, H. H., Wong, S. W., Chan, D. F., Byrne, J., Li, C., Yuan, V. S., ... & Wong, J. Y. (2016, July). Virtual reality enabled training for social adaptation in inclusive education settings for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In International Conference on Blended Learning (pp. 94-102). Springer, Cham.