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How to use VR in the Classroom
How to use VR in the Classroom
Mr. Huffman wears many hats. The Indiana Jones hat...the 80's mullet...the SIA wig! Mr. Huffman loves to have fun in the classroom. If you know him, you know he's got a great sense of humor. "Social Studies is my favorite class...Yes, time for Social Studies...". I hear these phrases often from my sixth graders. Mr. Huffman is approachable, fun, and most of all, caring. So, of course, kids love coming to his classroom.
This year, I had a sixth grader write a fantasy story about a Social Studies teacher who transported them back through time using a portal time machine. I was impressed by his writing and I think I know where his inspiration came from. This year, Mr. Huffman has incorporated Virtual Reality into his classroom. All of our middle school students have access to VR goggles and these interactive expeditions. Mr. Huffman is taking advantage of this technology and making his Social Studies "come alive".
Video-4.MOVThrough our Technology coach, Kelley Molitor, Ryan learned about the amazing advantages of using VR with his Social Studies content. "I use VR to give kids a firsthand look at a place that most of them will probably never get to go." His students have visited the Amazon Rainforest, Coral Reefs, The Egyptian Pyramids, and The Great Wall of China. During an expedition, Mr. Huffman has students put on the VR goggles and is able to take students on a "tour". Each expedition comes with a script that guides students through a location and directs their attention to specific sights. With the goggles on, students can see a 360 interactive scene.
Using VR in the classroom offers students a new perspective on content. As Mr. Huffman said, some of these virtual visits allow kids to see things around the world that they probably will never have the opportunity to see in real life. Using VR is not something I have any experience with or knowledge about, but Mr. Huffman says, "Don't be afraid to try something new," when it comes to classroom instruction. It's time for me to get out of my comfort zone. I definitely want to try some of these goggles on, too. If I'm not willing to try something new, what kind of example am I setting for my students? Mr. Huffman reminds me that middle school students are pretty forgiving and enjoy watching us be "human".
"Kids are good to be around - I'm a kid myself sometimes. [Teaching middle school] is a pretty good way to spend your life." - Ryan Huffman
"Kids are good to be around - I'm a kid myself sometimes. [Teaching middle school] is a pretty good way to spend your life." - Ryan Huffman
Mrs. Molitor is ready to help you face your fears, too. She's the most supportive person you'll ever meet. If you haven't visited with her yet this year, what are you waiting for? Any time I visit with Kelley about something I am thinking about in my classroom, she takes that idea and blows it out of the water. She has a million resources and creative ideas to make any lesson 10x more powerful. Here are a couple links she shared about VR expeditions.
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