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Published by Victoria Sego, 2019-03-31 22:41:57

Victoria Sego Magazine Ed 243-01

Magazine Ed 243



 

Expanding Technology in 
the Classroom 

A Closer Look at the Possibilities of Virtual Reality 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Victoria Sego / Brigham Young University- Idaho / Ed 243-01 

 

 


 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Virtual Reality: A Game or Hidden Educational Resource? 
Victoria Sego 
Brigham Young University - Idaho 
April 1, 2019 
Ed 243-01 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Table of Contents 

 

 

Cover Page………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1 

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2 

About the Author………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 

Virtual Reality: A Game or Hidden Educational Resource?..................................​6-9 

Resources…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9 

Advertisement……………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 

Interviews……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11-14 

Back Page…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

About the Author 

Victoria Sego was born in Los Alamitos, California. Her family consists of one older sister and
four brothers. Victoria’s family has always been into athletics, so she competed on the swim team and
participated in soccer, volleyball, softball, and cheerleading
while growing up. In middle school, her family moved to
Okinawa, Japan where Victoria finished her secondary
education and graduated from Kadena High School in 2016.
Since then, Victoria has begun her bachelor’s degree in
Special Education at Brigham Young University-Idaho and
hopes to graduate in the beginning of 2021. While Victoria
enjoys her time at school, her free time usually consists of
the beach, a good book, friends and family, or exploring new
artistic abilities.

Victoria’s Outlook on Teaching:

My philosophy on teaching began when I was a little girl. I
was blessed with amazing role models growing up and in large part due to the teachers I had, I absolutely
loved school. I believe I could trace it back to the third grade when I realized that I too wanted to be a
teacher. Like those of my childhood, I honor patience and respect in my classroom. I have always been
organized by nature, so I believe that a fine-tuned classroom management plan is essential to success in
any classroom. When communication is direct and both teacher and student are on the same page, one
can be assured that instruction time is used wisely, there is a mutual respect, and an environment of
growth and love at school. The principles learned within school walls are carried far beyond them, so the
teaching of these young individuals should not be taken lightly. I feel it is a big responsibility to give
students our best every day. If we believe that we should ever produce life-long-learners from our class,
we must first become one ourselves. This attitude we portray of learning is one that will last with our
students throughout their lives. [322]

 

 


 

Abstract 

 

Life in the twenty-first century would not be the same without technology. For the past 
few decades, advances in technology have skyrocketed. Individuals on opposite sides 
of the world can see each other’s faces as they speak on the phone, gamers can play 
their favorite video games with other real people over the internet, and almost any 
information can be at the fingertips of any individual in a matter of seconds. 
Technology has obviously affected home and social lives across the globe, but what 
has its affect been on education? 

In this article, the advancement of virtual reality is discussed and how it has pushed the 
boundaries of being solely a fun past time, and become a resource in classrooms. 
Putting more than the five commonly-known senses into action, Virtual Reality forms a 
virtual environment that can be played in, experimented in, and educated in. It is clear to 
see how this low-risk environment has affected neurosurgeons and fighter pilots, but it 
has also opened doors for children learning to maneuver the world with special needs. 
Individuals on the Autism spectrum have proved to take up technology very well 
because it can be less intimidating and highly motivating.  

Virtual reality has proved to help Autistic children ages seven and up to work on and 
develop social and communication skills. A study was performed at the University of 
Texas that allowed children with ASD to navigate the virtual world through a series of 
ten social activities. With the help of a coach, children were able to complete these 
activities with a virtual partner and afterwards children with ASD showed improvement 
all across the board (Didehbani, N., Allen, T., Kandalaft, M., et al., 2016). Virtual reality 
has added an entirely new dimension to special education instruction. By giving those 
that need extra help socially the opportunity to practice without fear of embarrassment 
or the unknown, the possibilities for their growth are endless. For this reason alone, it 
would not be surprising to see the prevalence of Virtual Reality Systems in elementary 
and special education classrooms continue to increase exponentially in the years to 
come. [343] 

 

 


 

Virtual Reality: 

A​ Game or Hidden Educational Resource? 
 
Technology has been on the rise for the  simply from the definitions of the two 
last few decades and is becoming more  words forming its name. Virtual, 
and more prevalent in all aspects of life.  meaning near, and reality, in terms of 
With the advancement of the typewriter  what we experience as humans, come 
and computer in the twentieth century,  together to mean “near-reality” (What is 
classrooms began the slow shift  Virtual Reality?, 2017). Everything we 
towards the digital era. Today,  perceive from the world around us 
smartphones are held close in the hands  comes through our senses. But 
of students, homework can be  surprisingly, our bodies have more than 
completed and turned in online, and  just the five senses we learn about in 
smart boards provide countless  elementary school science. Past touch, 
interactive learning options in the  sight, taste, smell, and hearing are 
classroom setting. Surprisingly in the  senses such as balance, hunger, and 
past few years, technology has taken a  time. Virtual reality works to take some 
step further into the research and  of these senses and present them with a 
development of augmented and virtual  computer-generated environment and 
reality programs that can be used to  situations in order for them to be 
enhance the learning of upcoming  explored and interacted with in a very 
generations.  realistic way. Even though this version 

of reality really is not there, the way that 

your senses are involved and enabled 

make it seem as if it were.  

  This virtual reality becomes the 
environment in which a person is 
We have all heard of virtual reality (VR)  immersed and can manipulate objects 
as it pertains to video games and  or perform certain series of actions 
interactive experiences, but what is   while there. Headsets, treadmills, and 
virtual reality really? The Virtual Reality  gloves are common means of VR 
Society explained that VR is formed   systems. All of which, are masterfully 

designed to provide our brain with a  7 
“finely synchronized and mediated   
experience” (What is Virtual Reality?, 
2017). The goal of a virtual reality  different teaching scenarios. While 
system is to achieve a ​sense of  fighter pilots and neuro-surgeons have 
presence, ​which entails a balance of  benefited from this technological 
hardware, software, and sensory  advancement, so have more common 
synchronicity.   places of learning such as elementary 
and special education classrooms. 
If we are already experiencing our own 
realities, what would the need be for a   
virtual one? Of course, entertainment 
and pleasure are contributing factors,  While there are various ways in which 
but there are also applications of virtual  virtual reality can be used in the 
reality in the real world. VR can be used  classroom, research has been 
in place of almost any situation that  increasing in how virtual and augmented 
poses a threat to an individually  reality can benefit those with disabilities, 
physically, financially, or even just  especially autism. It is common for 
practically. Take trainee fighter pilots  children with autism to have difficulties 
for example. Rather than getting behind  socially. Autism spectrum disorders 
the wheel of a massive machine and  (ASD) are characterized into three levels, 
trying to take off for the first time, one  and at level 3, severe deficits in verbal 
can do so virtually and take risks there  and nonverbal communication and 
in order to gain the real-world  extreme difficulties with change are 
experience with significantly less danger  commonly present (Didehbani, N., Allen, 
to themselves and their instructors. The  T., Kandalaft, M., et al., 2016). With a 
real goal for virtual reality systems is “a  low-risk environment such as virtual 
seamless join between the person’s  reality, these individuals can practice 
head and eye movements and the  necessary skills and learn from 
appropriate response” in order for  experience how to better express 
participants to view three-dimensional  themselves, communicate with others, 
images that appear to be life-sized  and complete other every day social 
(What is Virtual Reality?, 2017). These  tasks. VR provides the chance for 
realistic, life-sized images are what 
make virtual reality useful in so many 

repeated practice in environments that  8 
change with each attempt and that   
allow children to make mistakes without 
the pressure and fear that is often  study logged onto the computer and 
accompanied with real-life interactions.  were guided with a partner by a “coach” 
Those with ASD have proved to accept  to specific locations to complete a 
computer technology very well because  series of social situations. Along the 
it can be motivating and rewarding.  way, they interacted with their partner to 
complete the contexts such as meeting 
“Many children with ASD exhibit a  new people, confronting conflict, and 
natural affinity for computer  consoling a friend (Didehbani, N., Allen, 
T., Kandalaft, M., et al., 2016, p. 707). 
technologies that leads to a higher level  Feedback was provided at the end by 
of engagement and fewer disruptive  the coach. The results came as a 
behaviors in computer-based  pleasant surprise; both the group of 
interactions (Hand-in-Hand, 2018).”  children with ASD only and the group of 
children with ASD and ADHD improved! 
A study was performed at the Center for  The proctors of this study came to the 
BrainHealth at the University of Texas at  conclusion “that VR-SCT offers a 
Dallas in which thirty participants  feasible social cognitive intervention for 
ranging from ages 7 to 16 years old  children ages 7 years and older” 
participated in 10 social activities in a  (Didehbani, N., Allen, T., Kandalaft, M., et 
customized Second Life VR world  al., 2016, p.709). This study suggested 
software (Didehbani, N., Allen, T.,  that the use of VR-SCT was beneficial 
Kandalaft, M., et al., 2016, p. 706).  because, unlike other similar 
Keeping in mind the sensory processing  interventions, it was dynamic and 
deficits that many individuals with ASD  offered unpredictable consequences to 
experience, the computer interface used  real responses that the individuals gave 
was not a full immersion that is  at each social situation. Granted, the 
normally used in 3D virtual reality  study was somewhat small and there 
designs. This brings up the importance  was not a control group, all individuals 
of keeping students’ needs in mind as  came out with a positive experience. 
we consider implementing virtual reality  The intervention of similar VR 
into classrooms. A headset for  technology in clinical treatment for ASD 
someone that already is sensitive with  can give individuals the opportunity to 
particular senses, may not be the best  move at their own pace to improve their 
idea. Participants in the university’s  social abilities.  
 

Virtual reality still has a way to go before  9 
we find it in every special education   
classroom. However, the benefits that it 
can bring to students with Autism are  Providing individuals that are known to 
extremely motivating and inspiring. It is  suffer from difficulties communicating 
hard for individuals that are on the  and interacting with others the 
autism spectrum to express themselves  opportunity to do so, with relatively no 
in difficult social situations.  penalty to themselves or those around 
them, increases the assurance that 
  doors opened to them in the future are 
immeasurable. [1165] 

 

 

 

 

Resources 

Didehbani, N., Allen, T., Kandalaft, M., et al., (2016, May 05). Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training
for children with high functioning autism. Retrieved March 10, 2019, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563216303089?via=ihub

Hand-in-Hand: A Communication-Enhancement Collaborative Virtual Reality System for Promoting
Social Interaction in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. (2018). I​ EEE Transactions on
Human-Machine Systems, Human-Machine Systems, IEEE Transactions on, IEEE Trans.
Human-Mach. Syst,​ (2), 136. https://doi.org/10.1109/THMS.2018.2791562

What is Virtual Reality? (2017). Retrieved March 19, 2019, from
https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/what-is-virtual-reality.html 

10 
 

 

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Interviews  11 
 
  
Jessica Gallardo, BA in Elementary  Q.3- Do you think an increase in 
Education, Second-grade Teacher,  technology in the classroom is a 
Lincoln Elementary School, Rexburg,  positive or negative change? 
Idaho  A.3- It can go either way. I/m the one 
   that controls the technology and I 
Q.1- In your eyes, what technological  choose if the use will be effective or not. 
advancement has made the most  So, I don’t mind a bit of technology and 
impact on the classroom in the past 5  making it my own, that’s why I see it as 
years?  both positive and negative. 
A.1- The craziest advancement that I    
think is going to get even more  Q.4- How would you change the use of 
advanced is the progress monitoring  technology in your current classroom? 
tests done every month on the iStation  A.4- I do wish that I could expose it to 
website. It used to be done with just a  them even more simply because as 
simple one-minute timed reading, but  times change, children will grow up with 
now it comes down to the kids sitting at  even more technological advancements 
the computer and they are assessed for  and they need to be able to keep up. It 
you.  comes down to having enough access 
   to it as well, which my students only get 
Q.2- Do you see technology becoming  for twenty-five minutes on Mondays and 
more prevalent in the classroom? Why?  maybe one more time during the week in 
A.2- I do see it becoming more prevalent  their centers and then whatever I am 
because, for example, we have our  able to pull up and project in front of the 
current math program that practically  class. 
teaches the lesson for me (I pause it a    
ton to make sure the students  Q.5- Do you think that it is important to 
understand what is being or will be said.  implement technology as a secondary 
The language in our current math  (opposed to primary) tool in 
program doesn’t tend to run very kid  teaching/learning? 
friendly).  A.5- I think any technological use should 
   be at the forefront of the classroom. 

Like I said before, whatever exposure  12 
can really benefit their futures.   
  
   Q.5- Do you think that it is important to 
Heather Fryar, Parent of 7t​ h​ and 10t​ h  implement technology as a secondary 
grade students and student at BYU-I  (opposed to primary) tool in 
majoring in Special Education, Idaho  teaching/learning? 
Falls, Idaho  A.5- Yes. 
     
Q.1- In your eyes, what technological  Jeffry Pulsipher, M. EAD, Teacher 
advancement has made the most  Education Department / Special 
impact on the classroom in the past 5  Education, Brigham Young 
years?  University-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho 
A.1- Smartboards.    
   Q.1- In your eyes, what technological 
Q.2- Do you see technology becoming  advancement has made the most 
more prevalent in the classroom? Why?  impact on the classroom in the past 5 
A.2- Yes. Interaction with students and I  years? 
think that you can differentiate  A.1- I think the tech that has had the 
instruction easier.  most impact in the last 5 years would be 
   the one to one device availability to 
Q.3- Do you think an increase in  many classrooms in schools. This 
technology in the classroom is a  allows for much more accommodations 
positive or negative change?  as well as engagement for many 
A.3- That depends on the day, but it  students. 
depends on how it is being used.    
   Q.2- Do you see technology becoming 
Q.4- How would you change the use of  more prevalent in the classroom? Why? 
technology in your child’s current  A.2- Yes, I do see it coming more 
classrooms?  prevalent because this is what the 
A.4- I would use it more. The teacher  newest generations of children are used 
does not use it very much. I would also  to. The know how to use it and it is part 
use the chrome books a little bit more.  of their world. It only makes sense to 
   use the tools they are familiar with to 
increase their learning experiences. 
  

Q.3- Do you think an increase in  13 
technology in the classroom is a   
positive or negative change? 
A.3- I believe it is positive, if used  environment. We will always need good 
correctly and wisely. Everything can be  teaching! 
turned into a negative thing if used   
incorrectly and proper procedures are  Heather Hoopes, College Student 
not in place. Students have to be good  majoring in public health, BYU-Idaho, 
digital citizens and that means teaching  Star Valley, Wyoming 
them about it.    
   Q.1- In your eyes, what technological 
Q.4- How would you change the use of  advancement has made the most 
technology in your (or your  impact on your classes in the past 5 
student/child’s) current classes?  years? 
A.4- Unfortunately, there is very little  A.1- I was thinking of the active boards, 
tech used in my children’s classrooms.  but probably iPads. 
The tech department at the district has    
vastly limited certain platforms such as  Q.2- Do you see technology becoming 
google, which has inhibited some great  more prevalent in the classroom? Why? 
tools. They do not have one to one  A.2- I think so because paper is 
devices and even the use of assistive  becoming used less these days, it is all 
technology is very limited for many of  technological. 
the students with disabilities. All of that    
needs to change.  Q.3- Do you think an increase in 
   technology in the classroom is a 
Q.5- Do you think that it is important to  positive or negative change? 
implement technology as a secondary  A.3- It depends on the person, but I think 
(opposed to primary) tool in  it is more of a negative just because it is 
teaching/learning?  less hands on. When you type notes on 
A.5- I think for some learning activities  an iPad, it is harder for people to 
tech might be the primary tool  remember and learn that way. 
depending on the objectives. However,    
for most I think it is a secondary tool. A  Q.4- How would you change the use of 
means of accessing the learning  technology in your school’s current 
classrooms? 
A.4- We don’t use technology as much in 
my classes, it is easier for me to take 
notes on paper. But, submitting 

assignments online is easy. I like that  14 
part of it because it is simple and you   
can do it any time. 
   A.3- I think an increase in the 
Q.5- Do you think that it is important to  classrooms is a positive change 
implement technology as a secondary  because you can watch videos on the 
(opposed to primary) tool in  computers to explain something you did 
teaching/learning?  not know before. Also, you can do 
A.5- Yeah, I think using it as an option  projects on the computer so you can 
can be helpful. Just not all the time.  just turn it in online. 
     
   Q.4- How would you change the use of 
Wyatt Sego, 9t​ h​ grade student, Kadena  technology in your school’s current 
High School, Okinawa, Japan  classrooms? 
  A.4- I would probably increase the use of 
Q.1- In your eyes, what technological  technology in my classes because it is 
advancement has made the most  very helpful to me, so I don’t lose my 
impact on the classroom in the past 5  papers and assignments.  
years?    
A.1- I think that the improvement of the  Q.5- Do you think that it is important to 
smartboard has made the most impact  implement technology as a secondary 
in our classes because we can use them  (opposed to primary) tool in 
to watch videos, explain an equation,  teaching/learning? 
and present presentations.  A.5- I think it is important to implement 
   technology as a secondary tool because 
Q.2- Do you see technology becoming  not all people learn well on the 
more prevalent in the classroom? Why?  computers. Also, teachers have to get 
A.2- I do see technology becoming more  paid to do something, so if everything is 
prevalent in the classrooms because  online then they are not going to be 
you can save paper and do the work on  doing anything. 
computers.    
     
Q.3- Do you think an increase in  Scott Shirley, Principal, Lincoln 
technology in the classroom is a  Elementary School, Rexburg, Idaho 
positive or negative change?    
Q.1- In your eyes, what technological 
advancement has made the most 

impact on the classroom in the past 5  15 
years?   
A.1- Data analysis has been a huge 
detriment to education. The sterile  meaningless test scores, then no. If 
examination of student scores has  used to genuinely improve learning, yes, 
reduced children to digits on tests with  it can be positive. 
questionable reliability, causing    
statistics to run amok, but individually  Q.4- How would you change the use of 
for children, and generally for politicians.  technology in your school’s current 
Data analysis in the right hands can be  classrooms? 
marvelous, otherwise don't give a child a  A.4- Remove the time stolen from 
"loaded gun."  students by taking standardized testing. 
     
Q.2- Do you see technology becoming  Q.5- Do you think that it is important to 
more prevalent in the classroom? Why?  implement technology as a secondary 
A.2- We haven’t scratched the surface of  (opposed to primary) tool in 
what technology will be like in ten years.  teaching/learning? 
   A.5- My father was a builder. I used to 
Q.3- Do you think an increase in  help him. As a child, I once tried to 
technology in the classroom is a  pound in a nail with a pair of pliers. I 
positive or negative change?  was taught the right tool for the right 
A.3- It depends on what the technology  job, at the right time. Teachers need to 
is used for. If used to improve  know when (and if) to use them both. 

 

 

 

 

16 
 

“Teaching kids to count is 
fine, but teaching them 
what counts is best” 

-BobTalbert


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