After visiting a virtual reality lab at Virginia Tech, Alicia McGee felt like it was technology that would be beneficial to her students at Blacksburg Middle School.
“There are many virtual experiences that are tied to curriculum like building simple machines, visiting art galleries, and exploring other countries,” the technology resource teacher wrote in an email.
McGee said that a computer room is currently being transformed into a virtual reality lab that will feature an Oculus Rift headset, accompanying controllers and a projector for other students to watch what the user is doing and seeing.
The funding for the classroom comes from $3,000 in grant money McGee applied for from Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creative Arts and Technology, a sum that the school system is required to match, totaling $6,000.
McGee said that rather than adding new courses to the curriculum, the technology will be used to enhance existing classes.
We are looking to incorporate the VR room into the current curriculum and “Students will also be introduced to software that is used to develop 2-D and 3-D activities,” she said. “This is a technology that is new to most students. It will engage them in activities that will prepare them for their future.”
McGee said that future doctors might have the opportunity to practice with virtual surgeries. Although, she said that her students will probably not be simulating medical procedures any time soon.
For now, students will focus on things like exploring the ocean and space and engineering bridges.
McGee said that Dr. Jonathan Bradley of VT is helping design the room and is providing training to teachers on how to use the technology. The lab is expected to be ready by late spring.
“We are excited to be the first school in the county to explore this technology and hope to see it in other middle schools in MCPS soon,” she said. “I definitely think this type of technology will be the norm in the future.”
