Virtual Reality in the Classroom

As a result of researching virtual realities in education it is evident that there is a plethora of high quality researched based games out there. When implementing virtual realities into the curriculum it is important to consider the purpose and authenticity of the game. Everyday students are given the opportunity to play low order thinking skill games that are simply drill. However, with careful consideration of the game students can learn valuable 21st century skills that align with Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy as well as ISTE’s NETS for students.

When implemented in a thoughtful manner, students can be exposed to a world of surgeons, architects of theme parks, and science labs. These examples are just a few of the high quality simulations available, all which provide students the opportunity to collaborate, take risks, and innovate-thinking dispositions that are not evident a “blast the math fact” game.

Below is a video of James Gee’s, a professor of linguisitcs, who asks the essential question: “What is a Video Game?”