This blog post was adapted from an article by Wendy McMahon that appeared on EdSurge. Read the full story here.
In today's rapidly advancing world, students are constantly surrounded by technology in almost every aspect of their lives. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and smartwatches, technology is everywhere they go. It is a significant part of their daily routine, not just for entertainment but also for communication, learning, and managing their schedules. As the use of technology continues to increase outside the confines of the classroom, educators are facing a new challenge. They are noticing that student engagement in traditional, technology-free classroom settings seems to be on the decline. The vibrant technological world outside the classroom walls can make traditional educational methods seem less appealing to students who are accustomed to digital interactions.
Jill Gierasch, who serves as the deputy superintendent for the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District (POB), identified this growing issue and took proactive steps to address it. She understood that to truly engage students and adequately prepare them for their future endeavors, integrating new technology into the educational environment was crucial. Gierasch is keenly aware of the challenge that educational leaders face: how to keep students motivated and eager to attend school in an era where technology is so prevalent. “Educational leaders have a challenge to keep students excited and wanting to come to school,” Gierasch explains. She highlights a critical point: “If students have all this technology at home, why would they want to come to school and do a paper-pencil task? Their world is technology right now. We need to keep up with them.” This statement underscores the necessity for schools to adapt to the technological world that students are already so heavily engaged with outside of school.
Gierasch also emphasizes the importance of choosing the right kind of technology for classroom use. She cautions educators to select technology that not only captivates students’ interest but also prepares them for the future, rather than opting for short-lived trends. After thorough evaluation, the POB district decided to implement zSpace Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) in 2014. “In this case, I do think virtual reality is the future—they are using VR in the automotive industry, and to teach medical students,” says Gierasch. Her statement reflects her belief in the transformative power of VR as a tool for learning and its relevance in real-world applications.
The adoption of VR in the classroom offers numerous educational benefits. It enables project-based learning (PBL), a method that encourages students to engage with their subjects in a hands-on, interactive manner. This approach helps bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical, real-world professions, making learning more relevant and exciting. Anecdotally, teachers in the district have observed that students are more engaged in classroom discussions and tend to ask more in-depth questions about the subjects they are studying when virtual reality is part of the learning experience. This indicates that VR not only captures students’ attention but also stimulates their curiosity and critical thinking skills, leading to a richer educational experience.
--
Hear what students at Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District have to say about using zSpace in this short video.