Practical Use of Off-the-Shelf Virtual Reality for Distance Education - A Look at the Feasibility of Non-Expert Use

Abstract

As the potential value of online learning and distance education becomes increasingly clear (considering, e.g., global health and climate change) we are motivated to push for practical use of emerging technologies at an accelerated pace, to further facilitate rich and flexible distance education. While the pedagogical value of lectures has been often questioned, it remains a common method of instruction, making them relevant to investigate within digitalisation. Virtual Reality (VR) affords valuable embodied experiences and is currently at a point where it is within reach for non-experts, but may require considerable additional effort.By focusing on the use of off-the-shelf hardware and software to give virtual lectures, a larger number of educators can start experimenting within their comfort zone. The purpose of the current paper is to contribute to the acceleration of this process by describing challenges encountered in such an attempt to quickly employ readily available VR technology to give a lecture in VR. Is it possible for educators without previous expertise in VR to start using this technology now? What factors can be considered to make the experience positive to both educators and students?The setup of the VR lecture in this case study had the lecturer entering a virtual environment remotely (from another city) using the free VR application Bigscreen with students and three observing coteachers entering the same environment being co-located in one physical room. The study was performed as an action research intervention, and the results were documented with ethnographic observations and a focus group. Some issues encountered may be avoided or minimized by raising awareness beforehand and additional preparation. Based on the present study, technical and ethical recommendations are given for which issues should be prioritized and how they may be dealt with, regardless of the educators' level of expertise, to be able to successfully conduct a VR lecture.