Skills-Based VR Language Teaching with Agora World with Dr. Jasmin Cowin

Dr. Jasmin Cowin is an Associate Professor at Touro University, Fulbright Scholar, SIT Graduate, U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist (2024), Artificial Intelligence trainer, and former Education Policy Fellow  (EPFP™), Columbia University, Teachers College. She regularly writes on 'Insights at the Intersection of AI and Education,' for Stankevicius Media. Aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 4, she has contributed to initiatives like Computers for Schools Burundi, TESOL "Train the Trainer" programs in Yemen and Morocco. Her research explores simulations for educators-in-training, AI in education and assessment, metaverse applications, and educational transformation for language educators.

Dr. Jasmin Cowin, the presenter, discusses the importance of immersive learning environments, specifically focusing on Agora World, a virtual reality platform that allows students to create and interact in customized virtual spaces. She emphasizes how these immersive environments can enhance language learning and promote critical skills like problem-solving, communication, and collaboration.

Dr. Cowin explains that Agora World is a user-friendly platform where students can design virtual spaces, upload assets like images or videos, and even host events such as gallery walks or quests. These activities help students practice language skills in an engaging, real-world-like setting. She highlights how these virtual worlds enable students to practice purposeful conversations, navigate virtual environments, and build their own exhibits or stories, which can then be shared with classmates and teachers.

Additionally, Dr. Cowin touches on how virtual environments encourage autonomy and independent learning. By creating their own virtual spaces, students must follow instructions, manage tasks, and showcase their work, fostering a deeper engagement with the material.

She also discusses the challenges of implementing new technologies in education, particularly in resource-limited settings, but stresses that introducing students to these tools is essential for preparing them for future careers in a technology-driven world. Finally, Dr. Cowin encourages educators to embrace the learning process, experiment with these tools, and recognize that while technology can be challenging, it offers invaluable opportunities for both teachers and students.