Description
In today’s increasingly digital society it is essential that educators employ creative pedagogical approaches which empower students to leverage the potential of digital technologies to support their present learning and to prepare them for innovative digital futures (DeWitt and Alias, 2023). Government policy within Ireland, The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 (Department of Education, 2022), recognises this immediate need to equip students with the requisite skills to become competent ‘global citizens in a digital world’, extending their learning beyond the walls of the classroom.A creative pedagogical approach that effectively enables teachers to achieve this aim is the use of virtual reality (VR). Gavish et al. (2015) note that VR in education has become increasingly popular in recent years owing to its ‘immersive, imaginative, and interactive features’ which Clark (2006) asserts makes learning more engaging and attractive to students, improving their motivation and attention.
This presentation offered an overview of a qualitative study undertaken with 5 primary level schools in the west of Ireland which explored students’ and teachers’ perspectives regarding the use of VR within a 5-week integrated STEM project. Following the delivery of an initial workshop in VR, students worked collaboratively in groups to research, design and create their own digital VR stories to outline concerns and proposed solutions regarding Ocean Conservation issues.
Pre-project and post-project data were collected from students (n=100) using qualitative questionnaires and a post-project focus group in each school. Teachers (n=5) also engaged in post-project semi-structured interviews to provide their perspectives.
The findings outlined in this presentation, contextualised through the lens of the TPACK framework (Mishra & Koehler, 2006), explored participants’ views regarding the impact that this VR project had upon teaching and learning. Participants self-perceptions regarding the development of digital competencies and enhanced conceptual awareness regarding STEM education were also discussed.
| Period | 28 Aug 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE) Annual Conference: The Making of Authentic Teachers in Ages of Artificiality |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Dublin, IrelandShow on map |
Keywords
- VR in Education
- STEM Education
- Ocean Conservation