Janice Koch tells about a science classroom in which the students make a solar system out of fruits and vegetables. Some teachers might not give students an opportunity to do an activity like this because of all the other opportunities students have to explore the solar system virtually. These other models give students a chance to view and interact with accurate and detailed models of the solar system. I believe that the creation of a solar system with fruits and vegetables is an activity that will enhance students understanding of the subject. While I am a proponent of online learning, I believe that the combination of virtual reality and hands on activities gives students a multidimensional look at the topic of study. If students have the opportunity to grapple with the solar system in several different contexts then they will have a more complete understanding of the topic.
In addition, students learn in different ways and that is why teachers have to prepare meet those needs. By giving the students multiple frames of reference, teachers allow them to learn in their own styles and learn on a deeper level. Giving students the chance to work with the topic in various activities can allow them to use their different senses to explore the concept. It is the combination of incorporating the virtual reality as well a hands on activities in different concepts that will take students learning to higher levels.
A resource for virtual reality inquiry based science lessons and activities teachers can go to
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I liked this post because it shows that doing things by hand is still a good learning tool. Even though technology is becoming the new wave I feel doing hands on activities allows the students to get a better understanding by doing it themselves.
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