Programming Virtual Reality Environments in the Classroom
Programming Virtual Reality Environments in the Classroom is a resource for teachers, interested in fostering understanding of virtual reality (VR) technology, and promote its use within the classroom, both in terms of learning and teaching. The digital skills resource is part of the Coding for Tomorrow initiative of the Vodafone Stiftung Foundation in Germany, which aims to modernise school education through the provision of innovative training and educational offers.
The lesson plan provides the structure of a 45-minute lesson on virtual reality, and requires no prerequisite knowledge. It comprises of learning materials, videos, and teaching materials. In addition, students have the chance to explore the tool CoSpaces, which offers the possibility of programming and designing virtual words. The lesson plan guides the teacher in presenting important concepts, pertaining to programming. It includes a warm-up, and aims to encourage teamwork, by splitting students in groups of 4 to 6 people, who have to work together to complete tasks. By the end of the lesson, students will gain an improved understanding of programming and its basic concepts and recognise and describe the purpose of algorithms.
In addition, activities also aim to see students:
- Program their first animation and explain what algorithms look like (and how they work) via a warm-up drawing exercise.
- Learn how to create figures, modify them, and insert them within 3D spaces and environments.
- Improve their understanding of moving objects in virtual environments.
- Build programming speech bubbles and insert virtual backgrounds.
Programming Virtual Reality Environments in the Classroom is a free of charge resource, available in German.
Digital skills resource details
Students are put together into two teams and use flashcards to collaborate and answer questions.
