Reading Review Blog Post #1

         


                                                      Virtual Teaching
Image result for google cardboard

Fig.1

Apple Inc. Iphone Screen Shots.2017. Google Cardboard. Apple Inc. Web. Accessed 15 September 2017.


As a completely online teacher, I am faced with different challenges than classroom teachers.  I need to find creative ways to engage students in their learning, as I am not there in person to share my passions with them. I am curious about how different digital technologies can help me to engage my FSL and French Immersion students about Francophone culture, mostly focusing on creative works such as movies, art, sculpture, architecture, as it plays a big role in these classes. I will share a few of the examples I found in British Columbia’s updated curriculum,

”Appreciation of Francophone culture allows us to understand and explore global issues with greater awareness (Core French 12) and “experiencing the creative works of another culture promotes an understanding of one’s own culture” (Core French 11).  
For my research on this project, I wish to explore how 21st century technology can improve the connection I have with my students online.  That is why I am excited to research the following:

 Key words I plan to research: Virtual fieldtrips, virtual classroom, google cardboard, online teaching technology, virtual tours (museum, art gallery, city tours). I feel like these key words will be a good starting point to finding resources that are tailored towards virtual learning and online teaching. 

Image result for virtual teaching technology

Fig 2. Samsung.  Virtual Reality in the Classroom. Samsung Newsroom. 2017 Samsung Inc. Web. Accessed 17 Sept. 2017.

Based on the above pictured survey (taken in Germany) on the subject, it seems that I am not the only teacher who sees the potential benefits of Virtual Reality in the classroom. Students are able to explore the world from their seats, and seeing as I cannot take my students to see the Louvre or the Eiffel Tour, I feel as though this is my next best option.

With my particular job, it is going to be necessary for me to keep up with new technology and find ways for students to access curriculum from their computers. I really want students to be excited about what they are learning, and offer them a way to discover French culture in ways other than simple research projects.  With virtual technology like Google Cardboard, students can experience cultural works from their homes and it will help to make the curriculum more tangible for them. The research I will conduct will help me to find out about other resources that I can implement in my online courses. I’m excited to see what I will find! If you have other suggestions for me, please post below.
                                                                
                                                             Works Cited


“Core French 11.” Building Student Success - BC's New Curriculum, curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/core-french/11. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.

“Core French 12.” Building Student Success - BC's New Curriculum, https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/core-french/12.  Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.

Google, Inc. “Google Cardboard on the App Store, Iphone Screen Shots.” App Store, 14 Mar. 2016, itunes.apple.com/ca/app/google-cardboard/id987962261?mt=8. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.

“Survey Shows that Teachers See Potential for Virtual Reality in Education.” Samsung Global Newsroom, Samsung, 2017, news.samsung.com/global/survey-shows-that-teachers-see-potential-for-virtual-reality-in-education. Accessed 17 Sept. 2017.

Comments

  1. Aaron MuellerSeptember 18, 2017 at 7:08 AM

    A good first blog post outlining your key interests, goals and directions for yourself over this course. It is such an exciting time for engaging our students using new tools, technology and opportunities. I hope that your research is fruitful and provides many useful activities and opportunities for your classroom and students.

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