The number of K12 public schools and higher education institutions dipping their toes into the Immersive Virtual Reality pond is on the rise! IVR can be an amazingly useful tool in the instructional setting. All the research around IVR use as an instructional tool tells us that learning engagement and motivation are increased when using the IVR setting. Showing our students how to effectively use headsets and hand controllers is not necessarily our biggest worry. Our digital natives seem to know how to jump right in and are usually not afraid to pont, click, and go. However, our teachers might need support and training, not only on how to use the IVR equipment, but also the pedagogical underpinnings of use of the technology. Teachers need to know ”the why” behind this incredible teaching tool.
Teachers may experience what we call first and second order barriers to using IVR technology. Research shows that a very diligent and explicit effort must be made to adequately teach the teachers how to use the hand controllers and headsets. Once concerns and fears have been eased about the use of technology, the first order barrier is gone. Once teachers understand how to best use the equipment as an enhancement to their content instruction, the second barrier is gone. Learn imrsv specializes in this two step professional development where teachers are facilitated in their learning endeavor to use IVR as an instructional tool. Even though IVR use as an instructional enhancement tool is powerful, the teacher must believe and trust they are just as powerful in using the tool effectively. Get in touch today so we can support your school or organization with IVR installation, professional development, and support.
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