Rationale

Through exploration of places and things in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, students become immersed in experiences from which they can connect new learning.

Research tells us that students learn about new concepts more deeply and retain their understanding longer when those concepts are connected to life experiences. Although ideal, not all new learning can be connected to experiences. While some students are lucky enough to have rich experiences from which to draw, not all students have the opportunities in their lives to visit new places and see new things. There are also experiences that likely NO students have had – climbing to the peak of a mountaintop in the Swiss Alps, for example. With the use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, the mountaintop and other powerful experiences can be brought into the classroom and shared with ALL students. As a result, students have the opportunity to construct their own lasting understandings around new learning by drawing from experiences.

Implementation Plan – Notes

• I have signed up to lead a session (50 minutes) at Leadership Academy to expose teachers to transformational instructional ideas that make use of VR and AR.

• I am facilitating a summer workshop (3-hour) to expose teachers to VR and AR activities, and how to intentionally build activities within a blended environment (Schoology).

• Fall and Spring course offering will support teachers in reaching individual technology goals, some of which may include the use of VR and AR. Teachers can earn 1 or 2 semester hours with direct coaching.

• Through coaching, this VR/AR Pilot will focus specifically on 7th grade Science & Social Studies (22 teachers and 1,264 students).

• This VR/AR Pilot will link to Science and Social Studies standards, although other teachers specifically interested may come along for the ride.

• I am prepared to lead a Release Day (half day for each Sci/SS - share subs) for 7th grade Science & Social Studies teachers. The 3-hour workshop will immerse teachers in a wide variety of VR/AR lessons from the standpoint of a student, followed by instructional design around the use of VR/AR.

• Pilot Teachers will act as "Train the Trainer" model for subsequent years.

• This kit and accompanying support can be replicated. I am looking to maximize flexibility with this kit configuration while saving the district money.

• Support teachers in leveraging VR/AR – NOT just for the "cool factor." VR and AR needs to be paired to good instruction within standards to maximize student learning.

• With implementation of VR and AR, support the activity by sharing expectations with students, guide their reflection, and help them connect their experience to new learning and vocabulary acquisition.

• Guide teachers to consider both VR and AR Experiences for their students – both consume/curate as well as providing opportunities for students to create.

• Through Tinkercad, Google Tour Creator, and HP Reveal Studio, there are Maker Space opportunities.

Early Trials with Students – April 2019

Merge Cube

This Merge Cube example was done with Amy McGhee's 7th grade Weird Science Lunch Bunch at Davis Middle School. This opt-in small group gives students a podcast to listen to, then they get together over lunch at the end of the week. There were approximately 12 kids in attendance. We had 3 Merge Cubes, and made use of the kids' iPhones with the free Object Viewer app. This particular activity had students listen to a podcast that included a mystery solved by... fossil evidence, making inferences, and showing grit. Radio Lab included a 3D scan of the fossilized skull that was the focus of the podcast. We used the Merge Cube to look for the evidence ourselves.

Click here for more information about this specific activity.