Introduction to Virtual Reality in Elementary Schools
A one-day experiment with virtual reality has grown right into a highly-anticipated event for elementary students on the Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS). Thanks to a partnership with the University Libraries, students are exploring technology they won’t otherwise encounter of their early education.
The Beginning of a Successful Partnership
Jamie Phillips, TRCS’s technology integration specialist, worked with the University Libraries’ Tech Lab to rearrange the initial one-day virtual reality (VR) experience for a small cohort of scholars at two schools. Although the primary yr began small, interest in this system has skyrocketed, and multiple sessions were offered at 4 schools in 2024. Phillips notes that this system has not only excited students but additionally inspired teachers to include more technical elements into their classrooms.
Hands-On Experience with Virtual Reality
During the visit, students get hands-on time with a VR headset to experience and navigate a virtual environment. After their turn, students can create ‘flipgrid’ videos, that are recorded like a TikTok, to debate their experience. The program goes beyond just fun, as Phillips has enhanced it by incorporating articles, videos, and profession exploration into the experience, including conversations about safely using technology.
Tying Virtual Reality to Computer Science Concepts
Phillips also ties the experience to previous technology lessons with robotics, touching on concepts like programming, algorithms, and computational considering. Alex Teal, emerging technology specialist on the University Libraries, adds that VR is a dynamically changing field that challenges users to think in recent ways. The TRCS visits have also been a superb opportunity for Western students to get hands-on experience teaching others easy methods to use technology.
Student and Teacher Reactions
Nicholas McManama, a pc science major, found it interesting to see how much the scholars got into the experience. Elana Wierenga, a Tech Lab worker and social work major, loved having the chance to work with the scholars at Three Rivers, introducing many to VR for the primary time. Wierenga notes that her experience within the Tech Lab prepared her to introduce VR to others, giving her the flexibility to not only use VR for fun and education but additionally to point out and teach others easy methods to use it.
Future Plans and Goals
Looking ahead, Phillips hopes to secure grants for VR headsets that teachers can integrate directly into their curricula. By having this collaboration, Phillips goals to construct excitement over VR in order that when the grants are secured, teachers can be wanting to use the headsets. Teal adds that the partnership has been an enormous win for his or her team, pushing them to enhance their skills in device management and customer support and to take into consideration VR beyond just their very own Lab experience.
Conclusion
The partnership between the Three Rivers Community Schools and the University Libraries has been a convincing success, introducing elementary students to virtual reality and galvanizing them to explore technology. As this system continues to grow and evolve, it’s more likely to have a long-lasting impact on the scholars and teachers involved, potentially inspiring the subsequent generation of technologists and innovators.
