Trends: VR, AI, and Other | Historiapilotos

Trends and Tools

Trends

Predicting future classroom technological needs is very difficult but there are are three trends that are on the horizon in the field of educational technology (and technology more generally) that seem certain to proliferate: Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) These three seem to be certain candidates with the greatest impact in classrooms in the foreseeable future. Today's teacher candidates need to be familiar with their possibilities. A few links and primers specific to classroom Edtech implementation are discussed below.

Trend #1: Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality allows students an immersive experience and allows an incredibly diverse range of possibilities for classroom instruction such as virtual field trips, simulations. Some examples are included below.

Hardware Requirements

To implement VR in the classroom the only needed hardware is a set of VR goggles. There are several options with a wide array of price points on the market. Below is the cheapest option and a mid price alternative. Both open students' access to new worlds of learning

For just $10-20 Google Cardboard VR Goggles and an Iphone or Android device allows cheap VR access in the classroom. You can even make your own for free. Even though Google discontinued their production there is still a robust group of third-party developers and Google products such as Google Earth VR, and Expeditions work well.