VR in the EFL Classroom
VR in the EFL Classroom is a partnership of two Japan-based English language teachers and researchers. Here you can find information about upcoming presentations and workshops, as well as classroom resources.
In Alphabetical Order:
Josh Brunotte is an associate professor at Aichi Prefectural University. He is currently undertaking research in the field of CALL and the use of virtual reality in the classroom, as well as health-related behaviors and their effect on classroom achievement.
Chris Hastings is an instructor at Aichi Shukutoku University, Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, Nanzan University and Nagoya College. His main research interests are game-based learning and CALL.
MAVR Newsletter #1
Includes our write-up of the VirtualSpeech app for public speaking training and lots of other great information from the MAVR SIG officers:
MAVR Newsletter #1.pdf
Mixed, Augmented and Virtual Realities SIG Presence at JALT 2017
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the JALT International Conference, chatted to us about this technology, and came to our first SIG forum! Check out the links below for more information about our group, some of our content and for ways to join:
Toyohashi JALT Chapter Meeting Workshop
July 16th (Sunday) - 1:30 to 4:00
Location: Aichi University Toyohashi Campus (Building 5, Room 541)
Fee for JALT members: Free
Fee for one-day members: 1,000 yen
Low-cost Smartphone Virtual Reality Headsets for English Language Learners - An exploratory and practical workshop
Virtual Reality has been used as a training tool for several decades in various domains, including language teaching, but because of the technology’s high cost and bulk its use has been limited to special labs and research projects, rarely making it into the hands of the average learner in the classroom. However, the presenters believe that VR is set to enter the EFL classroom en masse thanks to the invention of Google Cardboard, a low-cost VR headset for smartphones, along with the high incidence of smartphone ownership, especially amongst high school and university age learners in Japan. With freely available software learners will be able to practice language, experience English language content, produce English language content, and prepare for study abroad programs immersively. In this workshop, you will have a chance to experience Google Cardboard and these applications for yourself. How this technology may be used as an effective learning tool both now and in the near future will also be discussed, with specific focus on how role-plays, asymmetrical language tasks, and study abroad pre-departure preparation may be carried out through this medium. As a participant in this workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn about Google Cardboard from both the instructor and learner perspectives. We hope that, through this experience, the engaging nature of smartphone VR, as well as the possibilities this technology holds for stimulating and challenging learners of all levels will be made clear.
NB Could all intending participants please download the following apps to their smartphones. This will allow everyone to participate better and each person to be able to use a VR headset:
1. Google Cardboard
2. Google Streetview
3. Google Expeditions
JALT CALL 2017 Presentation
Matsuyama University - June 17
Reducing study abroad anxiety through smartphone virtual reality
Chris Hastings and Josh Brunotte
Aichi Shukutoku University
Show and tell H3B Saturday 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Students (especially those from largely ethnically homogenous and monolingual countries such as Japan) preparing to study abroad may experience considerable anxiety about the prospect of an unknown foreign environment. The negative consequences of this anxiety may take the form of overcompensation in preparation and study, avoidance of preparation and study, or even physical effects, such as illness. The presenters propose that recently developed smartphone virtual reality, such as Google Cardboard, is a practical and affordable technology that could help train students in problem-focused coping strategies aimed at reducing anxiety. This technology allows anyone with a smartphone and a compatible headset, through the use of freely available applications, to visit locations around the globe and inhabit them immersively with the ability to look freely in all directions. In this presentation, we will discuss a pilot study examining anxiety-reducing VR-based activities as well as other CALL activities, that allowed students to virtually visit their overseas campuses, city downtown districts, and homestay neighbourhoods. In particular, the presenters will talk about the rationale for the study, the activities and materials used in the study, and the data collection methods and results. Also, how these preparatory activities might reduce student anxiety prior to departure will also be explored. Finally, improvements for a larger scale study will be proposed. Attendees will be able to experience the VR activities for themselves. This presentation may be of particular interest to teachers or administrators who wish to use more active learning-based activities in preparing students to study abroad.