Tools for Engagement
boy wearing a VR headset and manipulating virtual gears

Virtual 3D worlds, games, simulations, and augmented reality can increase options for student engagement by providing incredible learning opportunities. 

Students can engage in virtual field trips, travel through space, conduct science experiments, and create and work with multi-dimensional objects that are not available with other media.
 
The technology may also change how students feel about learning and their abilities. For example, consider students with disabilities who attend instruction via their avatars. In a virtual world everyone has the same set of virtual skills and abilities. When factors such as general computer access, accommodations, and assistive technology needs for accessibility for all students are considered during the universal design of core instruction, all students will have an equal opportunity to achieve grade-level standards. 
Virtual Reality

girl soaring through the clouds on a book
Virtual reality is an interactive computer-generated experience that takes place within a simulated environment (virtual world). Virtual worlds can be similar to the real world or fantastical. They can be populated by single or multiple users, utilize static or custom avatars, and provide opportunities to participate in activities, communicate, and collaborate.
  
InMind 2 VR -  Explore the chemistry behind human emotion while learning about the human brain and making critical decisions that will determine John's destiny as he grows from a teenager to an adult.

comic character thinking about all the different choices he can make. shows a matrix of paths behind his head

Mathbreakers -  For grades 1-6, students name and design their avatar and then explore a colorful and engaging world of mathematical operations. Special tools such as the Zooka, Multi-blaster, Multiplier, or Jetpack can be collected as they practice math skills. 

Games for Science - A  collection of virtual  islands, each with its own unique scientific dilemma. Students interact, watch videos, learn new vocabulary, and solve problems.  

several avatars are gathered outside of a building on an island

Google Earth -  Built from satellite imagery, users can explore real-life buildings and terrain from a bird's-eye view or up close at ground level. Guided tours, cultural and historical photos, measurement tools, and other features are available.

African Fossils - Explore a lab and view fossils and artifacts from Africa. Artifacts can also be downloaded for 3D printing.

virtual view of a lab showing fossils on shelves

Additional Resources:


Immersive Virtual Reality

person with multiple images rotating around their head
Immersive virtual reality replaces a user's real-world surroundings to the extent users may be able to suspend disbelief and fully engage within the virtual world, typically through the use of a virtual reality headset. 

Discover King Tut's Tomb - Explore the tomb of the young king as it was in 1323 BC. Users can learn about and explore the artifacts or scavenge treasures before time runs out.

The Raven - A retelling of "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe in a dark 19th century parlor.

three images left to right_ fireplace_ open book showing the title the raven_ and a raven with a picture in the background of a morbid looking woman

Anne Frank House - Explore all the rooms of the life-like secret annex where the Franks and four others sought refuge.

inside of a small room with pictures tacked to the wall

VirtualSpeech VR Courses - Upload powerpoint presentations and practice public speaking in realistic environments.

a virtual meeting room with about 12 people facing the presenter

Guided Meditation VR - Provides over thirty environments and hundreds of  locations for self-relaxation or guided meditation including biofeedback.  

Additional Resources:

Google Cardboard Apps

Augmented Reality

student manipulating a human heart that appears on his phone screen
Augmented reality uses technology to manipulate perceptual information such as visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory, or olfactory to enhance and change the perception of real-world environments or objects. 

Metaverse - Space for creating, sharing, and using augmented reality content.  AR breakout sessions  across a range of grade levels and subjects are available through the Apple and Android apps.

Google Translate AR Mode (Apple, Android) - Provides translations in 103 languages, including limited availability with no internet connection. Utilizing the device's camera, the app can provide translated augmented versions of books, signs, menus, and other printed text. 

two image_ on the left is the cat in the hat first page in English and on the right the same page in spanish

Math Ninja AR -  A 3D Ninja World is overlaid within any real word environment. Users scan the tower for the math problem and then must explore and locate the villager with the correct answer. A vailable for  Apple  devices.

AR Flashcards Animal-Alphabet - Letters come to life with animals representing each letter of the alphabet using the printable flashcards. Additional AR Flashcard experiences including addition, space, shapes, colors, animals, and Abraham Lincoln are available at http://arflashcards.com/.

on the left is a flash card with the letter G and on the right is the same flashcard with a gorilla appearing above the letter G

BBC Civilisations AR (Apple, Android) - Over 30 digitally scanned museum artifacts from the United Kingdom can be placed in any learning environment. Artifacts can be moved and scaled. Each artifact includes a detailed history. 

a Sarcophagus appearing in a typical room


ABC Animals -  Printed and illustrated children's book that comes to life with video and audio when used with the companion Apple or Android app. Click here to see additional augmented reality books.

Virtuali-tee - Graphically enhanced t-shirt that triggers life like 3D videos of the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems overlaid on the wearer when used with the compatible Apple or Android app.  

Additional Resources:

32 Augmented Reality Apps for the Classroom 

6 Exciting AR Apps for Student Learning

Educational App Store Augmented Reality Apps
Google Expeditions

Google Expeditions is a flexible program that provides resources for students to explore interactive, virtual environments, tools for students to create their own virtual reality experiences, or bring classrooms to life with augmented reality. Group expeditions must use an Expeditions Kit that can be bought or built. Individual users can start exploring with a compatible Apple or Android device and the Expeditions App with over 900 available VR Expeditions. 
Virtual Reality Headsets

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality experiences may be designed for use with or without headsets or as an optional feature depending on the designer and type of experience. 

Example VR Headsets:
Announcements

The 6th annual UDL-IRN International Summit will take place March 28-29 in Orlando with pre-conference sessions occurring on March 27. Summit activities will include   informal networking sessions, in depth pre-conference sessions, design labs, formal workshops, UDL Talks, and an interactive learning village. For more information or to register visit http://summit.udl-irn.org/.

Superintendents at UDL-IRN
A luncheon will be held on Thursday, March 28 as an opportunity for superintendents to network. Additionally, superintendents of K-12 districts can attend the conference for FREE with one or more paid registered participants from a district team. More information is available at https://summit.udl-irn.org/superintendents/

Additional events and conference information is available on the Technology & Learning Connections  events page. 
This resource was funded through the Bureau of Exceptional Education  and Student Services with IDEA Part B dollars. The information and  resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational  community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties  involved . Please note that access to some resources may be blocked by individual school districts.