Virtual Reality in Teacher Education: Insights from Pre-Service Teachers in Resource-limited Regions

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Nyaaba, Matthew, Akanzire, Bismark Nyaaba, Nabang, Macharious
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2024
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author Nyaaba, Matthew
Akanzire, Bismark Nyaaba
Nabang, Macharious
author_facet Nyaaba, Matthew
Akanzire, Bismark Nyaaba
Nabang, Macharious
contents This study explores the perceptions, challenges, and opportunities associated with using Virtual Reality (VR) as a tool in teacher education among pre-service teachers in a resource-limited setting. Utilizing a qualitative case study design, the study draws on the experiences and reflections of 36 Ghanaian pre-service teachers who engaged with VR in a facilitated lesson for the first time. Findings reveal that initial exposure to VR generated a positive perception, with participants highlighting VR's potential as an engaging and interactive tool that can support experiential learning. Notably, many participants saw the VR-facilitated lesson as a promising alternative to synchronous online learning, particularly for its ability to simulate in-person presentations. They believe VR's immersive capabilities could enhance both teacher preparation and learner engagement in ways that traditional teaching often does not, especially noting that VR has the potential of addressing expensive educational field trips. Despite these promising perceptions, participants identified key challenges, including limited infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, and insufficient access to VR equipment as perceived challenges that might hinder the integration of VR in a resource-limited region like Ghana. These findings offer significant implications for educational policymakers and institutions aiming to leverage VR to enhance teacher training and professional development in similar contexts to consider addressing the perceived challenges for successful VR integration in education. We recommend further empirical research be conducted involving pre-service teachers use of VR in their classrooms.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2411_10225
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Virtual Reality in Teacher Education: Insights from Pre-Service Teachers in Resource-limited Regions
Nyaaba, Matthew
Akanzire, Bismark Nyaaba
Nabang, Macharious
Computers and Society
J.4; K.4
This study explores the perceptions, challenges, and opportunities associated with using Virtual Reality (VR) as a tool in teacher education among pre-service teachers in a resource-limited setting. Utilizing a qualitative case study design, the study draws on the experiences and reflections of 36 Ghanaian pre-service teachers who engaged with VR in a facilitated lesson for the first time. Findings reveal that initial exposure to VR generated a positive perception, with participants highlighting VR's potential as an engaging and interactive tool that can support experiential learning. Notably, many participants saw the VR-facilitated lesson as a promising alternative to synchronous online learning, particularly for its ability to simulate in-person presentations. They believe VR's immersive capabilities could enhance both teacher preparation and learner engagement in ways that traditional teaching often does not, especially noting that VR has the potential of addressing expensive educational field trips. Despite these promising perceptions, participants identified key challenges, including limited infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, and insufficient access to VR equipment as perceived challenges that might hinder the integration of VR in a resource-limited region like Ghana. These findings offer significant implications for educational policymakers and institutions aiming to leverage VR to enhance teacher training and professional development in similar contexts to consider addressing the perceived challenges for successful VR integration in education. We recommend further empirical research be conducted involving pre-service teachers use of VR in their classrooms.
title Virtual Reality in Teacher Education: Insights from Pre-Service Teachers in Resource-limited Regions
topic Computers and Society
J.4; K.4
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.10225