Exploring Virtual Worlds in Education
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Virtual reality (VR) technology is rapidly advancing and finding new applications in education. VR creates immersive simulated environments that engage students in experiential learning. By transporting students to new worlds, VR helps captivate their imaginations and interest.
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Teachers can use VR to take students on virtual field trips, allow them to visualize abstract concepts, and interact with historical events or figures. For example, students studying astronomy can tour virtual galaxies, while history students can visit reconstructed historical sites. Posters are no longer bulky items forgotten at home but now live in a virtual gallery for all to see on display.
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With thoughtful implementation, virtual reality can be an exciting new educational tool to help deepen learning.
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Note: You do not need a VR headset to use VR in the classroom.
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Read the directions below or follow along in the
e-course to get started on your own virtual gallery walk.
Directions:
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Creating a virtual reality environment
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Sign up for a free Spatial account. Download the Spatial app on your VR headset, if you have one.
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Open the Spatial app and click "New Room" to create a new virtual environment or use a pre built Template to save time. Give your room a name and description.
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Use the room editing tools to add 3D objects, images, text, and more to your environment. Drag and drop items into your room or upload your own creations (Like posters from Canva).
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Adjust the room lighting, change the floor material, and customize the environment to your needs.
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Set multi-user permissions so others can join your VR space. Click "Share" and invite people to your room via email, link or social media.
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Have participants join your Spatial room on their VR headsets or computers using Spatial's website. They can move around independently and interact with objects and each other in real-time.
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When finished, click "Done Editing" to save your VR environment. You can always re-enter to make changes later.
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Explore using your customized VR space for learning activities, virtual meetings, student presentations, and more!
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Creating Posters to Add to Your Environment
1. Go to Canva and sign up for a free account.
2. Click "Create a Design" and select "Poster" as your starting template.
3. Search Canva's library of layouts and select a pre-designed poster template or blank canvas.
4. Customize the design by uploading your own images, adjusting text fonts/colors, and adding your own flair.
5. For a classroom poster, add information like the grade level, school name, academic focus, inspiring quotes, etc.
6. Resize, rearrange, or add elements like shapes, stickers, and illustrations to suit your poster content.
7. When finished, click the "Download" button and save your poster as a JPEG.
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Turning Your Canva Creation to 3D
1. Go to Vectary and click on the "3D Editor" to open the editing tool.
2. Upload your JPEG image by dragging and dropping it into the editor.
3. The image will automatically be converted into a 3D mesh. You can rotate, pan and zoom to view it.
4. Click "File" and "Download" to save your completed 3D model as an OBJ file.
5. Import the downloaded model file into Spatial to use your 3D object.