Virtual Reality Reflection

• Now that you have researched the view opposite of yours, how have your thoughts changed?  After researching the opposing views of virtual reality, I have become aware of its potential downfalls.  Virtual reality has the potential to limit student interactions and peer collaboration, it can produce a detachment in students that can transfer to reality, and it can be costly for schools and create a greater digital divide.  Having researched the opposing view will allow me to be more thoughtful when using it in the classroom, ensuring that I address the potential issues and create solutions for them before they become a problem.  

• Do virtual worlds offer more advantages over more traditional learning environments? Virtual worlds can offer advantages over traditional learning depending on the lesson and objective.  It is important to use virtual reality only when it is the best way to teach the lesson to that particular group or individual student.  If it is impossible to use real materials, virtual reality will allow for a similar active experience rather than just reading or listening about the experience.  

• Do virtual worlds give students a better learning experience than real world experiences?  Virtual worlds can give a better learning experience depending on the lesson topic.  It can be a valuable learning experience when the setting is appropriate for the objectives.  

• How can we prevent our students from looking at virtual worlds as just games and view them as learning experiences?  It is up to the teacher to use virtual worlds as learning experiences and not just games.  One way to do this is by setting clear goals and objectives and sharing them with students.