Virtual Reality

Virtual reality in the most simple terms can be defined as, "experiencing things through our computers that don't really exist" (Woodford, C., 2016).  However it's not quite as simple as that.  Chris Woodford in his article Virtual Reality further defines virtual reality as, "A believable, interactive 3D computer-created world that you can explore so you feel you really are there, both mentally and physically." 

To meet this definition Woodford states virtual reality must be: believable, interactive, computer-generated, explorable, and immersive.  Believable means the user feels like they are in an alternate work.  The user must be able to interact with the world around them.  It may be obvious, but these worlds need to be computer-generated.  As Woodford states, only high powered computers are capable of creating the worlds of virtual reality. Explorable differs from interactive, meaning the world around the user changes as the user moves. Finally the virtual reality world needs to be immersive. Woodford uses the comparison between a flight simulator computer game versus a real flight simulator. Woodford says, although the scenery changes while playing the computer game, it doesn't give the user the same immersive experience or actual sights, sounds, and feelings of a real flight simulator. 

Virtual Reality continues to get better, but it still is limited by the speed of the computer running the VR program. Also in the school setting there is the barrier of cost.  Budgets always seem to tight so the extra expense to purchase equipment or headsets could make it restrictive. Woodford also sites a concern with virtual reality.  He says much like the internet, television and radio there is the concern that people will be "seduced by alternative realities to the point of neglecting their real-world lives" (Woodford, C., 2016).

Despite the concerns about virtual reality, the opportunity for use in the classroom will continue to grow.  Some of the uses I can see being used include:  taking students on virtual tours of the worlds historic sites, setting up virtual classrooms where students can meet with other students anywhere in the world, and in a more complex setting immersive VR can help medical students learn how to perform complex procedures repeatedly and without risk of harming patients.

Non-Immersive VR

Non-immersive VR gives the user a engaging 3D world but they don't need to be completely engaged with the program. The video above is a great example.  It is a three dimensional world but all the viewer needs to do is sit back and relax and go on a virtual tour of the home.

360 VR Videos

360 VR videos immerse the user further than non-immersive VR.  The viewer can change the perspective of the virtual world just by moving their head.  In video above the view is taken on roller coaster ride and not only can they experience all the dips and flips of the ride, they can look anywhere and turn 360 degrees to see everything that is happening around them.

Collaborative VR

Collaborative VR allows multiple users to exist and work in the same virtual environment.  In the video above users work together using math skills to fire a cannon.  The graphics may not be as great as some other more immersive VR environment, but users linked into the program can work together side by side regardless of where they are in the world.

References

Corneel19. (2010, August 10). My PC Flight Simulator setup Demo Flight 1 Part 1 - Boeing 737 
     [HD 720p]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/p16jyQIeIyY

Skims. (2016, June 22). Guns of Mosede - a collaborative VR math game. Retrieved from 
     https://youtu.be/3KudUzb26mU

Stancurtin. (2010, June 24). Virtual Reality Flight Simulator Navy Demo. Retrieved from 
     https://youtu.be/KvzkgEpbyec

Theme Park Review. (2016, September 07). Hydra Roller Coaster 360 Degree POV Dorney Park 
     Allentown PA - Filmed w/ Giroptic 360. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/u3DSqiPBQiE

Value Build Homes. (2014, January 30). 3D Virtual Tour of Pamlico House Plan. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/RIdmh1Nf-Xs

Woodford, C. (2016, December 25). Virtual Reality. Retrieved from         

     http://www.explainthatstuff.com/virtualreality.html