Workshop: VR for Language Learning

On 10/16/18, faculty from the Chinese, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Arabic language programs, as well as the Center for American English Language and Culture, explored the possibilities for using Virtual Reality (VR) in language courses. The workshop, led by the Language Commons’ Hope Fitzgerald and Jason Bennett from A&S Learning Design & Technology, examined ways in which this emerging technology is being used in language classrooms around the US.

Equipped with VR headsets, and with their phones tucked into Google Cardboard devices to access VR content and 360˚ videos, workshop attendees were able to experience a more immersive, engaging, and motivating learning experience compared to 2-dimensional video. Possible uses for VR in language learning could include virtual ethnographic explorations, tours of cultural landmarks, and immersive storytelling. Students can also develop their own 360˚ content to share in class, making VR a fertile area for creative, authentic learning. VR is gaining popularity across grounds, and the University continues to encourage active learning by making VR headsets available for drop-in and class use in the Wilson Interactive Media Studio, Language Commons, Gilmer STEM Commons, and the UVA libraries.