Educators today wear many metaphorical hats, especially as technology develops. They are expected to become film directors, vloggers, and coding experts, not to mention navigating the world of AI and feeling the burden of their students’ online safety.
It can be easy to forget that a key part of the mission of educational technology (EdTech) is to create immersive experiences. In this article, we take immersion back to basics because, in truth, it’s possible to achieve immersion without any technology at all.
What is Immersion, and Why is it Important?
3. Get Moving
It’s no news that movement can be a powerful tool in learning. The feeling of ground moving under a student’s feet can quickly turn them into the protagonist in their own story so that, in combination with these other techniques, they can be convinced that they are walking around an ancient settlement or on the surface of Mars. Try some of these activities:
- Ask children to experiment with lower gravity on other planets/the Moon, incorporating percentages work as you imagine turning the gravity up and down and walking with lighter or heavier steps.
- Ask children to stand in a certain area to represent their opinion. Ask them to explain why they are standing there, then invite others to change their mind by moving if they want to.
- While telling a story, invite students to behave as if they were the main character. Allow them to walk around the space, sit down, hide, run and experience the physical feelings of the protagonist.
- Try a pre-made Augmented Reality experience like TimePod Adventures.
