Lakeside High School is integrating technology into the classroom, taking it to a whole new level with virtual reality (VR).
Class VR allows students to explore topics in an easier and accessible way, Lakeside High Principal Doug Wetherholt said.
"Students aren't just traveling or dissecting, they are utilizing their learning with virtual reality," he said. "The interesting part is that virtual reality allows students to explore topics, places, and content in a away that is as close to real life as possible, without actually leaving Lakeside."
VR creates an entire digital environment, a 360-degree, immersive user experience that feels real. In a VR setting, students can interact with what they see as if they were really there.
In addition to providing students with immersive learning experiences, other benefits of virtual reality in education include the ability to inspire students' creativity and spark their imaginations. And this can motivate them to explore new academic interests.
"Using virtual reality technology can get them out of their classroom without leaving their classroom," said Tyler Wilber, a social studies teacher at LHS.
Teachers can use the Class VR software to give the students hands-on experience in practically any subject.
The software simulates real-world applications and relates it to the content or subject they are learning about in the classroom. Best of all, the students like it, Wilber said.
"It's cool because I already live in first person, but this looks like first person," said Jamille Massingill, a sophomore at LHS.
©2023 the Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
