VIRION: Virtual Reality Applied to School Education, White Book

Abstract

This document is the result of an inter-disciplinary piece of work carried out in the context of the Erasmus+ project "VIRION - Virtual Reality Applied to School Education", n.º 2022-1-ES01-KA220-SCH-000089414. This initiative explores the use of Virtual Reality (VR) as an innovative educational tool aimed at transforming the teaching and learning of the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The content presented her is the product of a rigorous process involving research, software development and testing and analysis of results, carried out in four countries - Germany, Bulgaria, Spain and Finland – by five European members, each providing their own experience in education and technology. • URJC, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (ES) • HCU, HafenCity Universität Hamburg (DE) • LUT, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (FI) • TSV, Tsar Simeon Veliki Secondary school (BG) • Premium Cine, Educational VR-content producers (ES) With the aim of promoting the use of VR in the field of education, this document has been designed to support teachers and students of 14 to 16 years old in the acquisition of technical, digital and teaching skills. The purpose is not only to improve learning in the classroom but also to guide young people towards a more deliberate and creative use of the technologies which they already know (such as video games and social networks). In this way, we have sought to enable users to adapt to an ever-changing digital environment and contribute to the training of responsible digital citizens. Efforts must be made to close the gap in the field of education when it comes to the integration of emerging technologies such as VR. For example, although this tool has significant potential for education, many people in a leading role in education are unaware of what resources are at their disposal or how they could be used effectively. In addition, the inequality of access and lack of specific teaching limit its use in the class- room. This study seeks to tackle those deficiencies by providing a clear methodology, teaching tools and access to specialized content in order to help teachers, education managers and politicians to implement VR in their education strategies. Similarly, we have studied how VR may help solve problems such as early drop-out and poor performance in basic skills by offering learning experiences which are more immersive and appealing. Numerous studies support the idea that VR not only aids the comprehension of complex content but also motivates students to connect learning with the technologies which are already part of their everyday lives. This is particularly relevant when it comes to STEM, where drop-out rates are higher, especially among girls. It is for that reason that we emphasize the need for inclusive approaches which stimulate interest and excellence in these areas.