Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/912628
learn about the life cycle of various shark species. Afterward, they write essays about the ocean's most fearsome creatures and use their math skills to calculate the measurements of sharks. "It's a STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] les- son for them," says Howland. "e kids are excited. When you can motivate them with engaging technology, it makes teaching really fun." "It's amazing," says student Nathan Jourdan. "It's like you are really there." "I think it's awesome," exclaims classmate Maddie Lacitinola. "It blows my mind." Beyond fun and games Virtual reality (VR) has long been part of video games, but developers have expanded to educational realms in recent years. According to EdSource, there are more than 400 educational VR expedition or field trip options, including college and career tours. In VR, participants wear a headset connected to a computer. Three-dimensional images are displayed on a screen inside the headset, and users control movement around the virtual environment with a handheld device — or with head or body movement. In some cases, the user can influence the environ- ment. For example, a door may open if a user waves their hands, and a dinosaur might open its mouth if the user moves toward it. The technology allows students to travel the world, visit distant planets, and draw shapes and structures in 3-D to help them better understand math. Some biology teachers are opting to replace animal dissection with VR because it isn't messy and doesn't traumatize students, allowing them to see a beating " WHEN YOU CAN MOTIVATE THEM WITH ENGAGING TECHNOLOGY, IT MAKES TEACHING REALLY FUN." — AIMEE HOWLAND, ENTERPRISE ELEMENTARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Shasta Meadows Elementary teacher Aimee Howland guides her students as they "swim" with sharks. 35 D E C E M B E R 2 017 / J A N U A R Y 2 018