Virtual Reality in Education

Link to article used: http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/shaffer.htm

Summary:

Virtual reality is a type of technology that uses computer programs to stimulate real-world situations. In most cases by wearing a special headgear it allows students to see images and hear sounds that make them feel they are really at the chosen learning destination.

When you wear this virtual-reality head gear you can find yourself exploring the rain forest, touring Germany, or even an event from the past without even leaving the room!

It assists teachers to utilize the various technology tools that get their students involved with their learning environment. Virtual reality can allow students to experience an event or area of the world first hand. This is a unique experience because some places or events are too far away from a classroom and traveling to them is impossible. Virtual reality can also increase a student`s physical level of response to the visual information given.

A seventh grade Science teacher by the name of John Shaffer learned how to integrate virtual reality around the United States and other parts of the world. Mr. Shaffer was interested in the Visual Perception Reaction Training (VPRT).

He gives many different examples showing how to effectively use VPRT such as the development of "VR math flash cards". VR math flash cards incorporate vision, color, touch and sound. Others are bilingual reading, which is walking into a virtual reality room and touching items in order to receive feedback, and in the subject of Social Studies a virtual reality globe can show students where a country is and get automatic feedback on the countries geography, culture, and spoken language. Last but not least in the subject of Science students can use virtual reality to see photosynthesis in action, see demonstrations relating to cells, experience outer space, and observe geology.

This article also discusses research between using virtual reality in the classroom and the visual/auditory cortex growth. This research used virtual reality in the classroom as a stimulant for the cortex.

Before beginning research, it was important to establish a measurable correlation between the visual cortex and visual stimuli. Primarily the research consisted of top athletes, whom were all performing very well in their respective sports. The perceived rate of motion played a big role in creating a measurable correlation between the two.

The article provides the example of riding a motorcycle. As stated in the article, "In professional motocross, motorcycle road racing, Cart, Indy, Nascar, Trans-Am, for example, the speeds are sensational to visual and physical reaction. In these sports, speeds often reaching 200 miles per hour are visually adjusted to fit the conditions given for each type of event. An illustration of speed adjustment is noted when a motorcycle road racer falls and slides across the pavement. When falling and sliding, the rider slows to a level that feels controllable only to find that he has misjudged the speed. This judgment error results in his body cartwheeling end over end and then coming to a violent stop."

The next phase of the research that contributed to this project was a research article that was according to the article, written by Dr. David Ferster, Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University. As stated in the article, "In Dr. Ferster's research paper on Excitatory and Inhibitory Conductance Changes in Simple Cells of Cat Visual Cortex, he made a statement regarding his research findings that he found membrane conductance grew by 20-200 percent with stimulus contrast." After additional research, John Shaffer, concludes that "Using the direct application of Virtual Reality, that would provide the ultimate in visual and auditory stimulus, it is projected to show that a multisensory experience has application in many areas."

Bringing lessons to life: The use of Webcams in the Classroom

This article discusses how the use of web cams in the classroom helps to create a positive learning experience for the students. The web cam allows the students to take a virtual field trip to a place or an event that is relevant to the topic that they are learning about. The use of the web cam provides the students with a visual image to store with the information they already know about the subject area. Web cams also help the students to become more interested and excited about the material. This article discusses two different classrooms and how they used web cams to enhance their learning experience. For example, Chatham (Massachusetts) Middle School teacher Ann Morgan used a web cam for her class to follow the Iditarod. The students were able to track weather and record times during the race. Morgan discussed that the use of the web cam allowed her students to see the Mushers, and to hear the dogs, and she believes that this helped the students become more involved in the activity. The article also discusses a school district in Grand Forks, North Dakota and their use of web cams to help study natural disasters. Webcams allowed students to share their personal experiences with local flooding which occurred in April, 1997. According to this article, Cindy Grabe, the technology facilitator in Grand Forks explained, "In deciding when and how to use Web cams, we first ask What is the benefit? Is the change that is occurring significant and observable? Is this format the most appropriate format? What can be gained from this experience?" The article also provides a list of sites that provide web cam experiences to students.
Our group thinks students as well as teachers get tired of how monotonous reading out of a text can be. Web cams make it possible for teachers to "bring" their students to where the action is. Web cams can also be used to teach students about current events. Instead of reading the news paper or showing students on the television in some cases it will be possible to show them the hurricane, flood, or fire etc. and hopefully get them excited about learning.
Web cameras are a great teaching tool that all teachers should get familiar with and use in their classrooms. Anything that helps them teach the information to their students is a tool that should be used!!
Article: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech100.shtml

Podcasting: Ipods Friends Now in the Classroom

How many people have an Ipod or Mp3 player?



Wait, better yet...who doesn't?





A study shows that at least 6 out of 10 teenagers/students own one of these fascinating divices. Granted most people have used them for downloading music or movies or pictures, so why not bring something like this and introduce it into the classroom?


I'm talking about Podcasting. Podcasting is used with Ipods in which students can record things like poems and even give presentations for certain research projects or book reports. With just a simple non expensive microphone, that you can acquire anywhere really, you can broaden a students imagination and help build their confidence by having them make their own poems and recording them right there in class. By doing this you have captured their attention and left them wanting to do more. And that is what teaching is all about. Having kids leave your classroom wanting more, as opposed to running you over and out the door leaving you flat on your butt.









The best thing about Podcasting is the fact that the students can share their work with anyone. Anyone as in grandma and Grandpa in Toledo, or Uncle George in New York, but most of all they get to share their accomplishments with their parents. Granted that Podcasting was originally founded in the college atmosphere, it is still a great tool, if not better, for the younger grades because kids are always so excited to show everyone what they did, and when you have relatives that are not near by, this could be a difficult task. So that's why I think Podcasting really is a great tool, it includes everyone that wants to be apart of that particular students life, and praising a child for their hard work does everything for them and allows them to excel in so many ways.






Some Advantages of Podcasting:
1)Using new day and age technology
2)Keeps kids Interested
3)Gives students responsibility
4)Students are able to share their work

Some Disadvantages:
1)Ipods getting lost
2)Ipods being used for other things than just work




So whether it be an online radio broadcast, a book report, or even just a simple poem, students can get their information and their knowledge and their hard work out there. And they can say with confidence..."Look at what I did," and thats what we are here to do. Show them how much fun we can make learning and do everything we can to keep them intrested in excelling through life.

Link to Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/18/AR2005101801670.html

-post by Michael Strange

Teaching With Animation

There are many reasons teachers should take advantage of the booming technology of media in the classroom. This week our grouped picked an article called Teaching with Animation, which discusses teaching with animation as integrated part of the European school system. According to this article, "The inclusion of animation will provide more variety in the teaching methods and in that way promote different types of learning". This article then explores reasons why it is important to use media in the classroom.
One of the questions that is asked throughout this article is “Why media?” Not only have we come up with our own ideas of why media can be such a useful tool in the classroom but the article pointed out some very good reasons as well.

•It is their main source of information, entertainment and identity. •For the ability to cope we need to be able to read and understand pictures. •Pictures provide people who are academically weak another way to express themselves.

For example the article discusses that, "Pictures are not only an artistic way of expression-they have become an international language". Another great point that the article brings up is academically weaker students. The article states that, "The language of pictures also contains inclusion because it includes people who are academically weak and provides with an alternate means of expression".

On another note, Animation is another important tool that can be used in the classroom; this is mentioned throughout the article. The use of animation captures the attention of even the youngest students. The article reports that, "An animation production can combine the physical and virtual worlds". The use of animation provides additional benefits such as students being exposed to creative thinking strategies and helping to enhance their creative mind development. Animation will also help to provide more ways of learning, by providing the teachers with different methods of teaching. Moving pictures are popular with children, so they feel comfortable and secure with it. Pictures can help the students who aren't as strong in their school work; they can express themselves a different way now. Although t teachers are required to have additional training before teaching one of the media courses we feel that it is well worth the extra effort! In animation it is very easy to leave a personal mark, and that can really build a child's sense of accomplishment.
These tools are effective in education because they encourage personal development, work on communication, and add to a collection of previous knowledge. There are so many opportunities available with media/ animation in the classroom! J
· Some suggested software
o Stop Motion Pro, Penicol, and Super 8.