Presentation Abstract
Bringing Virtual Reality to the Classroom: Using virtual reality (VR) headsets, students are transported from their classrooms into the nearshore, swimming in kelp and eelgrass surrounded by schools of herring and up into the rivers with salmon, learning about marine food webs and experiencing scientists working to conserve the Salish Sea. Friends of the San Juans piloted an “Immersive Education” virtual reality program with four San Juan County high schools in 2021. This innovative program uses cutting edge technology, combined with the art of underwater videography and packaged together with marine science and policy to take students on a journey in place-based education from their classroom desks. The goal of the program is to take students on an adventure through the waters of the Salish Sea and inspire them to study and protect the region’s habitats and species. Utilizing virtual reality in the classroom has its challenges but also offers big rewards. By providing students with near-real experiences, students are far more likely to remember the topic at hand and by being more personally connected to the material are able to identify problems and solutions that are relevant to them. Virtual reality also allows different styles of learners to participate in ways that are most effective for their learning style. The project also aims to reach a wide range of students by incorporating technology, art, science and community action. Friends of the San Juans will share the successes and challenges of this new marine education program including: results from student and teacher engagement surveys from the pilot year, accessibility of the program in under-represented communities, teaching in the times of a pandemic, using high-tech technology in the classroom, and plans for future expansion of the program. The initial 360 video module can be viewed on YouTube here: shorturl.at/wEJZ9
Session Title
Environmental Education
Conference Track
SSE6: Human-Nature Systems
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-283
Start Date
27-4-2022 11:30 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 1:00 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Virtual reality in education--Washington (State)--San Juan County; Marine sciences--Study and teaching (Secondary)--Washington (State)--San Juan County; Environmental education--Study and teaching (Secondary)--Washington (State)--San Juan County
Geographic Coverage
San Juan County (Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Moving Image
Language
English
Format
Video
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons
Bringing Virtual Reality to the Classroom:Friends of the San Juans Immersive Education Program
Bringing Virtual Reality to the Classroom: Using virtual reality (VR) headsets, students are transported from their classrooms into the nearshore, swimming in kelp and eelgrass surrounded by schools of herring and up into the rivers with salmon, learning about marine food webs and experiencing scientists working to conserve the Salish Sea. Friends of the San Juans piloted an “Immersive Education” virtual reality program with four San Juan County high schools in 2021. This innovative program uses cutting edge technology, combined with the art of underwater videography and packaged together with marine science and policy to take students on a journey in place-based education from their classroom desks. The goal of the program is to take students on an adventure through the waters of the Salish Sea and inspire them to study and protect the region’s habitats and species. Utilizing virtual reality in the classroom has its challenges but also offers big rewards. By providing students with near-real experiences, students are far more likely to remember the topic at hand and by being more personally connected to the material are able to identify problems and solutions that are relevant to them. Virtual reality also allows different styles of learners to participate in ways that are most effective for their learning style. The project also aims to reach a wide range of students by incorporating technology, art, science and community action. Friends of the San Juans will share the successes and challenges of this new marine education program including: results from student and teacher engagement surveys from the pilot year, accessibility of the program in under-represented communities, teaching in the times of a pandemic, using high-tech technology in the classroom, and plans for future expansion of the program. The initial 360 video module can be viewed on YouTube here: shorturl.at/wEJZ9
