Virtual reality (VR) can be divided into 2. First type of VR requires the use of computer where you act with an avatar. Second Life is an example for that. Second type of VR requires tools and is more realistic since you act with your own body and control things with your body movements, like turning your head to see other side in artificial world.
In our instructional technologies and material design class, we were able to experience VR with the use of several VR headsets, or basically goggles.
Using VR in language courses, in our case English teaching, gives us an opportunity to have 'authentic' material for sure.
It is obvious that the use of VR is really suitable for vocabulary teaching such as object names, animals, building names or parts of a house.
An appropriate example would be, lets say, apartment VR. With the use of apartment VR, it wouldn't be difficult to teach the parts of a house and the objects that belong to every room.
Also, it is clear that instead of looking at a standart map in a textbook and talking about it, using VR is much more authentic and fun!
Lastly, I have to mention negative aspects of using VR and VR goggles.
As we discussed in class, we realized some issues and tried to focus on how to overcome them.
I'll start with the economical issue. The goggles of some certain brands are expensive but there are various alternative and cheaper versions to use in the classrooms, so the economical issue is actually easy to manage.
Second problem is not having enough tools for each individual. The lack of tools shouldn't be considered as a problem because this situation leads to 'group works' which is really useful especially in language learning as the group work acitivities directly focus on 'communication'.
Third problem was stated by my friend Gül. She had trouble with the VR goggles as she wears glasses and without her glasses she sees everthing blurry.
Last problem we talked about is 'the lack of interaction'. Everyone would agree with the idea that interaction is an essential for language learning. Even though interaction while using VR seems difficult VR chat would be a solution for it.
Below are my photos while I was experiencing VR:
To conclude everything, I want to say that integrating VR is a really good source for language classes and I really enjoyed my own trial.
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