Title :
Augmenting elementary school education with VR
Author :
Johnson, Andrew ; Moher, Thomas ; Cho, Yong-Joo ; Lin, Ya Ju ; Haas, Dave ; Kim, Janet
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Comput. Sci., Chicago Univ., IL, USA
Abstract :
At the University of Illinois at Chicago´s Electronic Visualization Laboratory, we use virtual reality technology to complement real-world experiences rather than replace them. For more than two years, we´ve been deploying ImmersaDesk applications in a Chicago-area elementary school. We want to know whether these virtual environments (VEs) help children make sense of mathematics and scientific phenomena. If so, can educators adapt them to the realities of elementary school learning and teaching? Our experience indicates that VR can successfully augment scientific education as well as help to equalize the learning environment by engaging students of all levels
Keywords :
computer aided instruction; virtual reality; Chicago-area elementary school; ImmersaDesk applications; elementary school learning; elementary school students; elementary school teaching; real-world experiences; scientific education; virtual environments; virtual reality technology; Astronomy; Computer displays; Handheld computers; Large screen displays; Navigation; Plasma displays; Portable computers; Space exploration; Stress; Virtual reality;
Journal_Title :
Computer Graphics and Applications, IEEE