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Virtual Reality in K-12:
New Affordances and potentials, mapping the landscape and anticipating challenges
Garrett MunroCentral Michigan University
6/27/2015
{Prelude}
● LSSU 2010 BA in Comm Studies● Teaching in China since● District teacher coordinator in the city of Shenzhen● Currently Director of Studies at an International School● Started an ed-tech project 16 months ago, oomApp:
{Context for This Project}
New hardware developments will bring consumer grade, affordable virtual reality headsets to market within 9 months. The implications for teaching and learning are huge, but challenges and barriers remain.
Presentation based on this paper: https://docs.google.
com/document/d/19boNWIZZ_zs_h0oZC00yVSwVHDbrzZvb8iCuvannQhI/edit?usp=sharing
Abstract
Virtual Reality: New Hardware
4 companies set to launch VR hardware in the next 9 months
Samsung Gear VR (accessory for Note4)
HTC Vive, developed with Valve
Not pictured: Facebook’s Oculus Rift,Sony’s “project morpheus”
This Time, it’s for Real Previous false starts with VR have been surmounted given new advances in hardware and software technologies:
● dramatic increase in PC computing power● new algorithms for “head tracking”, “time
warping”, and interfacability with OS and other development platforms
● reduction of cost and more widespread use of high powered hardware (including mobile)
● commitment by large companies to make this a reality: Facebook, Valve, Sony, Samsung
Costs and Feasibility● Costs vary for this hardware. Oculus Rift and HTC Vive,
display adaptors for standard PC’s, will range from 300-400 USD each. The rig required to run these at required settings will need to have higher than average horsepower, at around 800 USD
● Samsungs mobile VR costs the 200 USD, plus the cellphone itself, Note4 (varies)
● Development kits are available now, the rest are launching in late 2015 or Q1 2016
What application does this have in Learning or the classroom?
● Plethora of research on the benefits of multimedia learning (Mayer 2001)
● Video games and learning also have surprising benefits for priming greater retention of content: “Preparation for future learning” (Squire 2014)
● New media, as yet untested, differs in significant ways from earlier media: immersion, scaling and Presence
What application does this have in Learning or the classroom?
● VR is and has been used to treat addiction, as augmented therapy
● implications abound for counseling, intervention, or special education
● Virtual field trips could save dramatically on costs and broaden students horizons
● interactive simulation assessments (think US Air Force) could more accurately prepare students for the real world
● as a generative resource, great application for creative coursework and STEM related course projects
Apps and games in the Market
● most projects under development are video games, entertainment, or art (see Van Goghs paintings come to life)
● several apps have education focus, such as “Titans of Space”
● 360 degree documentaries can give more immersive experiences and drive interest, tolerance, empathy: Chris Milk’s Ted talk
● Resources for amature (student or teacher) driven content have never been easier to use or more affordable (Unity, Autocad, 3D Max, etc)
VR might also have great potential for language teaching, motivation and assessment
The VR Lab- a scalable Model for school integration
● To make the best use of resources, schools might invest in one VR lab set (25 sets, around 30k USD)○ In this way, teachers and classes could share the resource○ training would need to be done with teachers to find the best way to
integrate VR experiences into the curriculum○ feasibility on apps and experiences needs to be completed○ would be more useful in specific contexts: foreign language schools,
technical academies, STEM magnet schools, international schools, private academies
A smaller set (8) might be set up, where students can complete the experience on their own time, or on a rotation. This model follows Squires research on “preparation for future learning” with Video games and learning affordances
Challenges
Detractors● Just another false start● “little educational value”● school’s are still facing great challenges with
successfully implementing basic digital resources
Culture change● The question isn’t if, but when● if we wait for industry to develop educational resources,
it’ll be at least a decade before we see widespread use● teachers and students could lead a more grassroots
approach to appropriating funds and partnering with developers, or creating their own learning apps
Schools on the Edge● One private school in the US has already purchased a set of Oculus Rifts
and is using it in AP CS and art courses (Charlotte Latin School)● private academies and tech based character schools will probably be first
adopters, alongside affluent home school groups● as the technology matures, students and parents will follow (FB, mobile
and other appls, video games, will tug Ed-tech forward)
The power of VR shouldn’t be underestimated
● Given the “culture wars” of the 90’s, and recent skirmishes over state curriculum, it’s no doubt that the creators of the curriculum and content could use the experiences for their own interests:
● creating docile consumers, non-questioning “patriots”, or religious zealots● integrating VR with sound CRITICAL PEDAGOGY, and inviting students to
become creators, and not consumers, will be a best practice and maintaining empowered, vocal, informed and critical citizens in a democratic society
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Thank you!
