Chapter 2. Immersive Virtual Reality, Google Expeditions, and English Language Learning

Authors

  • Ida Mae Craddock

Abstract

Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 4), “Accessibility, Technology, and Librarianship,” Heather Moorefield Lang, Editor

Chapter 2 is titled “Immersive Virtual Reality, Google Expeditions, and English Language Learning,” by Ida Mae Craddock. This case study focuses on English as a second language learners and their experiences with virtual reality. The library, in its role as an access point for bringing information about the world to students, is a natural partner in making curriculum available via virtual reality to those students with language barriers. Google Expeditions’ pairing of in-person narration with excellent visuals boosts both content knowledge and vocabulary development—not to mention attracting new patrons to the library.

Author Biography

Ida Mae Craddock

A fifteen-year veteran of Albemarle County (Virginia) Public Schools, Ida Mae Craddock, MEd, is the librarian at Burley Middle School. The focus of her research is maker education and the role of school libraries in the community. Her program has been profiled by School Library Journal, Library Media Connection, NPR, and Edutopia. She has a precocious daughter, an understanding husband, and a lazy dog named Peacha.

References

Clint Boulton, “Top 20 Percent Projects at Google,” eWeek, January 25, 2018, www.eweek.com/networking/top-20-percent-projects-at-google.

Nick Statt, “Facebook Has Oculus, Google Has Cardboard,” CNET, June 25, 2014, https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-has-oculus-google-has-cardboard/.

Jordan Novet, “Google Announces Cardboard Expeditions to Let Teachers Take Classes on Field Trips,” VentureBeat, May 28, 2015, https://venturebeat.com/2015/05/28/google-announces-cardboard-expeditions-to-let-teachers-take-classes-on-field-trips/.

Xiomara Blanco, “Google Expedition App Offers VR Field Trips for All,” CNET, June 27, 2016, www.cnet.com/news/google-expedition-app-brings-vr-field-trips-for-all/.

Lucas Matney, “Google Opens Expeditions VR Education App to the Public,” TechCrunch, July 19, 2017, https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/19/google-opens-expeditions-vr-education-app-to-the-public/.

Nicole Lee, “Google Makes Its Case for VR by Reinventing the Field Trip,” Engadget, AOL, June 4, 2015, https://www.engadget.com/2015/06/04/google-cardboard-vr-education/.

Robert M. Carnini, George D. Kuh, and Stephen P. Klein, “Student Engagement and Student Learning: Testing the Linkages,” Research in Higher Education 47, no. 1 (2006): 1–32.

Russell Gersten and Scott Baker, “What We Know about Effective Instructional Practices for English-Language Learners,” Exceptional Children 66, no. 4 (2000): 465.

Elaine Hampton and Rosaisela Rodriguez, “Inquiry Science in Bilingual Classrooms,” Bilingual Research Journal 25, no. 4 (2001): 417–34.

American Association of School Librarians, “Common Beliefs,” accessed March 7, 2018, http://standards.aasl.org/beliefs/.

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Published

2018-05-18

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