Virtual reality (VR) over the past few years has become popular in a variety of fields including education. VR provides students with a creative opportunity to immerse in a simulated environment, which encourages participation in a more meaningful way (Lau, & Lee, P. Y., 2015). CoSpaces is a VR platform that allows users to create, explore, and share 3D content in an educational environment (CoSpaces Edu Support FAQs, n.d.).
CoSpaces is a platform that provides a space and tools for creating 3D objects, importing 3D models and animating objects. Learners can create their virtual worlds in CoSpaces with different simulations and animations to construct unique worlds for each user (CoSpaces Edu Support FAQs, n.d.). This technology can foster digital creativity by providing a space for students to experiment with different designs and ideas.
CoSpaces provides a space for learners to develop their computer skills and their creativity as in this program they create their 3D virtual models (CoSpaces Edu Support FAQs, n.d.). Creating 3D models like this helps learners improve their critical thinking, spatial awareness and problem-solving skills through an immersive experience. CoSpaces also provides a library of pre-made 3D objects such as animals, people, furniture and an abundance of other everyday items. Students can use these pre-made objects as a good starting point when creating their own virtual environment. Through these immersive environments learners can explore a variety of places, for example, walking through a virtual museum or a historical site. These types of experiences can help learners develop empathy and a greater understanding of different cultures and the experiences of others through a personal perspective.
While CoSpaces is a beneficial tool in education to foster students' creativity it is important to understand some pedagogical issues. When using VR there is the potential to it to cause motion sickness or physical discomfort for some students (Lavoie et al., 2021). Furthermore, VR can create a sense of detachment from reality and is important to be aware of this, especially with primary school students. Taking these issues into account will help in improving VR experiences for all parties involved. Ensuring breaks and limits on exposure to VR as well as providing learners with the opportunity to reflect on their VR experiences will help to bring them back to real-world contexts.
VR and CoSpaces provide a unique opportunity for learners to develop their digital creativity and enhance their learning through this digital technology. Through my personal experience using CoSpaces the freedom to create and explore are neverending and would be a great tool to use in the classroom environment.
References:
CoSpaces Edu support FAQs. (n.d.). CoSpaces Edu. https://cospaces.io/edu/faqs.html#:~:text=CoSpaces%20Edu%20is%20a%20kid,create%20their%20own%20virtual%20content.
Lau, & Lee, P. Y. (2015). The use of virtual reality for creating unusual environmental stimulation to motivate students to explore creative ideas. Interactive Learning Environments, 23(1), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2012.745426
Lavoie, Main, K., King, C., & King, D. (2021). Virtual experience, real consequences: the potential negative emotional consequences of virtual reality gameplay. Virtual Reality : the Journal of the Virtual Reality Society, 25(1), 69–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-020-00440-y
(Created By Author)
Hi Margot,
Really loved this blog post, I thought it was a great way to show how Virtual Reality can actually be used in the classroom and how students can be creative. I love how you included your own experience with the technology and put your CoSpaces scene you created into the blog. I also love how you included the negatives and downsides to CoSpaces instead of just talking about the positives. I loved all the pictures you included in the blog especially the one from the tutorial of someone actually engaging with the Virtual Reality head sets. Overall the blog post was an easy an enjoyable read.
Shira Charif
Hello Margot,
I really enjoyed reading your blog. Your blog was well laid out and the structure was easy to follow. Your definition of VR was clear and precise. I loved how well you sentenced what CoSpace is. Even though I did it in my tutorial class, after reading your blog it made more clear sense. I think for next time you should add limitations of link all your examples to the NSW syllabus outcome.
Mariam Haideri (47084634) - 12/04/2023
Hi Margot,
I had a great time reading your blog! You did a wonderful job of introducing the CoSpaces platform and VR's potential in education. You mentioned the advantages of using VR in education, including how it fosters empathy and creativity, while you also noted certain disadvantages, like motion sickness and a disconnection from reality. However, you could include more examples of CoSpaces' implementation in the classroom and how it supported the curriculum, and also give teachers advice on how to successfully include VR into their lessons.
Yuanyuan Lv
(11/4/2023)