This week we are focusing on the development of immersive learning experiences for the elementary classroom. In the video below, we describe three different ways to utilize immersive learning in the classroom in the areas of english language arts, cultural studies, and mathematics and geometry. So what is immersive learning? The use of both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) provide learners with opportunities to engage with content in new ways. AR provides students with the opportunity to engage with digital objects in a real-world setting (Ibili, 2020). VR is a completely immersive experience that is most often engaged in using a headset to enter a virtual world (Patterson & Han, 2019). 

In our video, we discuss three opportunities to engage students in these immersive experiences within different content areas. For example, in English Language Arts, a student can become part of a book and interact with characters to learn more about the story in a virtual reality learning environment. The book iteself becomes the environment and students can walk through the book. The most common use of immersive learning in cultural studies is the virtual field trip, allowing students opportunities to explore all over the world and in museums they typically wouldn't have access to due to travel and financial restaraints. These trips can occur through VR or students can interact with historical artifacts through the use of AR. 

The final experience that is explored is the use of AR in the study of mathematics and geomoetry. We walk you through the checklist as we develop an AR experience related to geomoetry and the study of geometric solids. Students experience not only identifying the solids based on their attributes but interact with a digital landscape to find these shapes naturally occuring within nature. Take a few minutes to watch the video below and review the checklist that is attached as well.

References

​​Ibili, E​. (2020). ​Effect of augmented reality environments on cognitive load:​ ​Pedagogical effect, instructional design, motivation and interaction​ ​interfaces. International Journal of Progressive Education, 15(5), 42–57.​ ​https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2019.212.4​  

​​Patterson, T., & Han, I. (2019). Learning to teach with virtual reality: Lessons from one​ ​elementary teacher. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning,​ ​63(4), 463–469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-019-00401-6​