ERIC Number: EJ1236898
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1528-5804
EISSN: N/A
Using Virtual Reality to Augment Museum-Based Field Trips in a Preservice Elementary Science Methods Course
Harron, Jason R.; Petrosino, Anthony J.; Jenevein, Sarah
Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education (CITE Journal), v19 n4 2019
Positioned in the context of experiential learning, this paper reports findings of a virtual reality field trip (VRFT) in conjunction with an in-person field trip involving preservice teachers in an elementary science methods course to a local natural history museum. Findings included that virtual reality (VR) is best used after a field trip to encourage student recall of the experience, but only when done for a limited time to avoid VR fatigue. The types of experiences that preservice teachers thought VR would be good for in their science classrooms included the ability to visit either inaccessible or unsafe locations, to explore scales of size that are either too big or too small, and to witness different eras or events at varying temporal scales. Furthermore, this study uncovered potential equity issues related to VRFTs being seen as a viable alternative if students could not afford to go on field trips. Further research needs to be conducted to better understand the impact of VRFTs on student learning outcomes and take advantage of recent improvements in VR technology.
Descriptors: Computer Simulation, Museums, Field Trips, Preservice Teachers, Teaching Methods, Experiential Learning, Elementary School Science, Recall (Psychology), Student Attitudes, Equal Education, Handheld Devices, Teacher Education, Telecommunications, Technology Integration, Affordances, Barriers
Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. P.O. Box 719, Waynesville, NC 28786. Fax: 828-246-9557; Web site: http://www.citejournal.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A