Presentations Exploring Affordances Offered by VR technology in a Language ClassroomQuincy WangSimon Fraser University, CanadaWatch the presentation videoThis presentation explores affordances offered by VR technology in the field of language education, and what unique immersive learning experiences that students may have that a traditional classroom lacks. It focuses on embodied language learning, learner agency and immersion as the key added value of VR. The overall goal of this talk is to report how VR technology can make language learning more authentic, engaging, and student-directed. Data from 27 students and one teacher in a grade 7/8 English language learning classroom were collected and analyzed to help understand VR technology’s intervention and pedagogical approaches. Findings demonstrate how VR immersion empowers learning in classrooms and transforms educational experiences, including language fluency, self-confidence, critical thinking, and developing a better understanding of how language works. Importantly, VR is not meant to replace existing teaching methods, materials, and tools; rather, it is intended to be employed to supplement, complement and enhance them.
How Immersive Virtual Reality Helps Students Retain Information. A Case StudyLorenzo SantorelliUniversity of Surrey, United KingdomWatch the presentation videoImmersive Virtual Reality (iVR) is a technology used as innovative pedagogical tool in teaching and learning. However, there is limited evidence evaluating its effectiveness on students’ retention of learning and engagement. I present a four-year study exploring the impact of iVR on learning experience with final-year Biosciences undergraduate students at one UK university. Our findings show that students who experienced iVR sessions retained more information compared to traditional techniques. Students found the VR activity engaging and agreed that it helped to consolidate information. These findings suggest iVR can have a positive impact on student knowledge retention and learning experience.
Beyond the Horizon: Integrating Immersive Learning Environments in the Everyday ClassroomAndreas Dengel(1), Josef Buchner(2), Miriam Mulders(2), Johanna Pirker(3)
1: University of Würzburg, Germany; 2: University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany; 3: Graz University of TechnologyWatch the presentation videoAs Immersive Learning research gains traction, questions arise about how educational Virtual and Augmented Realities can be transferred from laboratory settings and pilot projects into everyday teaching. This paper analyzes existing pedagogical frameworks to identify influencing factors and challenges relevant to teaching and learning with immersive learning environments. We distinguish Immersive Learning as individual learning processes supported by immersive technology and Immersive Teaching as the process of teaching with immersive technology. We subsume learner-specific influences (micro-level), teacher- and classroom-specific influences (meso-level) and institutional and governmental factors (macro-level) for Immersive Teaching and Learning. We conclude that, while investigating isolated variables is important for basic research, efforts integrating Virtual and Augmented Reality in everyday classrooms raise new challenges and questions for future research on the complex relationship between various factors.
