Assistive Technology

Activity Title: Virtual Reality: Lets go on an Adventure!

Source: Hansman, H. (2016, February 3). How Can Schools Use Virtual Reality? Retrieved
November 3, 2016, from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-can-schools-usevirtual-reality-180957974/?no-ist
Equipment:

Tablet (The teacher uses this device to control the experiences and direction for the
participants.)
Cardboard (a low-cost pair of VR goggles made from a cardboard cutout, electromagnets,
an app, and an android phone.)
Android phone
An app (This app is used to connect with the tablet of the teacher so the participant could
see what the teacher will be showing them.)
A classroom
Tables and chairs

Activity Description: The purpose of this activity is to expose the participants to places that
they could not physically take a field trip to. The Expedition program levels the playing field

for students who might not be able to travel due to economic or physical limitations, but Holland
says Google is trying to break down other barriers too, (Hansman, 2016). Some examples of
places that they could visit using the virtual reality system are: the Great Barrier Reef, Great Wall
of China, Buckingham Palace, and so on. Google released a program called Expeditions Pioneer
Program that brings these virtual reality field trips into a classroom setting for the participants.
This activity could function into a group session with around twenty participants. In the
beginning of the activity, the teacher will explain what they will be seeing in the VR googles and
what they will be learning today. She or he will tell them that after viewing the VR goggles
lesson, then they will discuss what they learned after the stimulation is finished. The teacher will
pass out the already cardboard VR googles that were pre-made to all the participants. They will
then be instructed by the teacher on how to download the app needed for this adventure. After
everything has been set up, they will then be instructed to put on their VR headset. Once
students put on the VR headsets, theyre immersed in a 3D version of the Machu Picchu or the
Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History, (Hansman, 2016). All the locations that the
teacher will show them will be pertaining to the lesson being taught. The teacher will then guide
them through the history of the location and show them the detail and views of the location.
During this expedition, the teacher will tell them facts about the location. After viewing the
location and going over what they are seeing, they will take off their VR headsets and then
discuss what they saw and go over the lesson.
Leadership Consideration: The CTRS could function as a teacher in these sessions and are in
close approximation with the participants. Some safety precautions that should be considered is
to make sure that the environment in which they are virtual seeing is not causing the participants
dizziness. If it does, make sure that the CTRS or teacher have the participants take a break from
the VR goggles and tie it with a discussion. Another safety precaution is to make sure that all the
participants are sitting down while wearing their VR goggles. If they try walking around they
might run into a chair or table that could cause them injury. Another safety precaution is
depending on the number of participants, they should have more teachers or staff to help in this
activity.
Adaptations for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: This activity could benefit the
individuals with autism in several different ways. Technology is a great way to have participants
with autism participant in a fun way. Virtual reality is used to help autistic children with social
attention problems, (2016). A child with autism often finds it difficult to read an individuals
facial expression or pick up visual cues or pay attention to another person that is speaking. Visual
Reality could help them with this. This activity could use several adaptation that could help
improve their social interactions and communication. An adaptation that could be used in virtual
reality is to use different scenarios to teach them real life skills needed in our daily lives. A
virtual environment is an ideal way of teaching these skills before encouraging the autistic
person to try these out in the real world, (2016). This environment provides a safe environment
in which could teach them skills used in a real world. An example is to try to teach an individual

with autism to cross the road. The simulation shows a street with traffic lights and cars which
the child interacts with, (2016). The CTRS will help them with how they should cross the road
safely and without causing them stress. After showing them different ways, they will then try it
on their own until they understand what they need to do. The CTRS will provide different
scenarios to help the individual learn on how they should react.
Adaptations for individuals with ADHD: ADHD is a chronic disorder that can negatively
impair many aspects of daily life, including home, school, work, and interpersonal
relationships, (2016). This activity would be beneficial for individuals with ADHD, also known
as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Individuals with ADHD have a hard time focusing
in a classroom setting. With the use of this activity with the right adaptations could help the
individual learn the lessons through a fun and interacting way. This will help them to not only be
focusing in the textbook during class but to see it for themselves. An adaptation that could be
used is having the lesson involved with the use of virtual reality. For example, the participant is
learning about the ocean, with the use of virtual reality they could take a look of the ocean
underwater with a 3D point of view. They could see what the teacher or CTRS is teaching about.
They could put a picture with the lesson being taught. Another adaptation is to allow the
participant to guide through the reality on their own and to ask them questions of what they see.
Another adaptation that would be very affective is a one on one session with the teacher or
CTRS.
Adaptation References:
Virtual Reality Treatment for Autism. (2016). Retrieved November 3, 20166, from
http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-healthcare/autism-treatment.html
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (2016). Retrieved November 3, 2016, from
http://www.vrphobia.com/adhd.htm