V.R. in Special Education
Findings from my Genius Hour Project
My Genius Hour Question
The answer I researched for my project was "How can we incorporate virtual reality teaching into special education classrooms?" I chose students with special needs because I have had a lot of experiences with them in the past and will also spend the next school year working with them. I really enjoyed researching my question because I had a lot of influential people in my life that were very helpful. I learned about both the advantages and barriers of implementing virtual reality into special education classrooms.
Tips From Twitter
- student outcome should be the main focus
- always receive feedback from the students
- "one size fits all" mold doesn't work in special education
Tips from Galileo at UGA
- importance of using UDL in special educations to provide the students with multiple means of presentation, engagement, and expression
- teacher's face a lot of pressure when implementing technology in their classrooms because they have to know the technology well enough to teach it to the kids
- solution: create systems that are "teacher friendly" and easy to facilitate
- presented many experiments where virtual reality helped students adapt and become experts in their environment
Tips from my Mom (par pro in special education class)
- currently, students use computer games to improve cognitive skills
- students also use "talkers" as communication devices
- student's parents encourage kids to use technology
- technology helps student's stay focused on their activities
- many of the student's goals are based on the levels of technology they can conquer
- technology can be used to track a student's progress and abilities in a classroom
- using the virtual reality to teach students couldn't do any harm
Tips From my boyfriend (took a virtual reality class at UGA)
- virtual reality would give the students a new aspect on learning
- big problem would be providing the teachers with equipment and resources
- equipment needed: computer, headset, joystick, and program
- possible other equipment for teachers: learning to code, downloading a gaming program, learning how to build on that platform
- a lot of this equipment and education is free
- there are multiple options and brands for the equipment and an average total would be about $250 (not including paying the programmer for creating the game if needed)
- with virtual reality, the sky is the limit
my take away
From my Genius Hour Project, and this class overall, I have learned so much about educational technology. I have learned the importance of student voice and letting kids have a say in their education. It's so important for students to feel empowered and valued by their teachers, especially in special education classrooms. I believe that using technology in classrooms will allow students, as well as teachers, explore their personal abilities and curiosities. My biggest take away from this project was understanding the endless possibilities of technology. I am encouraged to dream big with the help of technology, and I hope I can encourage future educators and students to do the same.