A public high school in Maine is using virtual reality (VR) to enhance cultural learning in foreign language courses.
Cony High School in using funding from the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) TeachWithTech grant to integrate VR into the curriculum for its German courses.
With the grant funding, students are now able to go on a virtual field trip using VR headsets to explore the columns of STOA 169 in Polling, Germany. Maine DOE said the VR headsets exposed students to Germany’s artistic scene and provided a unique opportunity for linguistic practice and cultural exploration.
DOE added that the student response to the VR experience was overwhelmingly positive. Students said they were able to observe the intricate designs of the columns and could engage in thoughtful discussions about their significance while honing their German language skills.
The Maine DOE’s TeachWithTech grant is part of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). The grant is awarded to MLTI schools through a formal grant process and provides supplemental technology and related professional learning to support innovative teaching and learning with technology.
