"3D + VR Technology in Education: An Introduction" is a free mini course offered by Edorble Academy (March 4th -April 4th 2017). This mini-course will give you a whirlwind tour through some of the issues at the intersection of 3D/VR Technology in education, in addition to getting exposure to some tools you can already start using with your students or colleagues, we're also going to read some of the research in the field, collaborate, and create our own lessons. Join if you'd like to meet other educators interested in 3D/VR Technology, learn about some ed-tech tools you can use right away with your students, and think crictically about these tools together. Teachers of all subjects welcome. Aside Note: An interesting example of 3D in Education is "7D Holography: A Whale in the Gymnasium" available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anHasqFguCM Enjoy :-)
Type of Material:
Online Course
Recommended Uses:
Educators can take this mini-course in order to support their usage of VR in the classroom with a history and overview of the evolution of 3D technology over time. They can also offer this content to their students.
Technical Requirements:
You don't need a VR headset to participate, but it will enhance the class significantly if you at least have a Google Cardboard! Almost all of the tools discussed also have a laptop or mobile compatible version. Also, this course will not require any coding, but those that are familiar with coding will find avenues to pursue within some of the tools explored.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
No learning objectives are specified for this online course, though it can be surmised that the goal is to share with users the history of virtual reality, and offer basic instruction on how users can get started with creating their own VR content.
Target Student Population:
Anyone seeking information on the evolution of virtual reality
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The content presents a strong combination of historical data and current news on the usage and evolution of 3D and virtual reality, a perspective not usually shared around this subject area. The course is useful because many teachers may not be familiar with 3D/VR technology.
Concerns:
The tone of the content is personable and friendly, but occasionally the didactic veers from fact to opinion without notice. This is challenging in that the lesson presents itself as scholarly, but some of the commentary would not be included were this to be a purely academic online course. Additionally, it seems like the content was moved from Teachable to Thinkific in the middle of the class. Not only that, you have to move to a completely different site, and when you do, you have to create a whole new account.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The learning materials include a rich blend of articles, research, videos and examples of virtual reality collected from multiple authors, time periods, and perspectives. The material is truly comprehensive, and serves as a solid primer on virtual reality.
Concerns:
There are no learning objectives articulated at the course or module level, an omission that if included would greatly improve engagement with the content. It is unclear what the course creator expects learners to do upon completion of the course other than gain an appreciation of the history of virtual reality and sample some virtual reality apps.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The interface of the learning content is clearly labeled and easy to navigate. Learners can see their progress through the modules and see a list of completed items as “achievements” in the course. The author includes a recommended path through each unit as a way to keep users on track.
Concerns:
After enrolling in the course, one reviewer was presented with a button that said “Continue to course” that ended in a dead link. If the reviewer clicked on the image above the button, the course appeared. This broken link might deter some folks from actually proceeding into the course. One of the course links, rather than taking a reviewer to the next section, took the reviewer to a chart dead-ended. The discussion feature in the Thinkific LMS includes ads that are unlabeled, and may be confusing to some learners who might accidentally click on them.
Creative Commons:
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