"Virtual Reality” the next frontier for K-12 Education: Responding to Future Innovations

Presenter Information

Rohan Jowallah, University of Central FloridaFollow
Luke Bennett, University of Central FloridaFollow
Phil Carter, University of Central FloridaFollow

Location

Capitol Ballroom

Start

9-27-2016 8:30 AM

End

9-27-2016 9:30 AM

Abstract

It is estimated that by 2020, revenue from virtual reality systems could reach one hundred and fifty billion dollars (Merel, 2015). The leading investors in virtual reality systems include some of the largest technology companies: Facebook; Google and Microsoft. Asian markets have also indicated a surge in spending on personal virtual equipment. This increased revenue spending has influenced improvements in virtual reality systems and these improvements have led to the proliferation of emerging theories on the effective use of virtual reality systems. As these new theories emerge, it is imperative that policy makers, educators and instructional designers consider the fusion of pedagogy and technology when using virtual reality systems.

This presentation will focus on leveraging the affordances of virtual reality systems within K-12. In this session, the presenters will: (1) focus on the latest technological advances in virtual reality systems; (2) connect virtual reality advances to innovate and scalable best practices within a K-12 setting; (3) allow participants to engage in virtual reality encounters to establish the key affordances of virtual reality encounters within K-12 (equipment and software will be demonstrated by the presenters); (4) share current literature on the implementation of virtual reality systems, (5) planning for educational experiences that include a virtual reality component and (6) highlight aspects of the researchers' current research on embedded virtual encounters in K-12.

Format

Keynote

Institutional level targeted

Higher Ed

Target Level (additional info)

K-12 and Higher Education