The educational role of language in experiences with virtual reality

Abstract

This paper focuses on developing a wider understanding of ‘the educational role of language’ in the digital age. Features of virtual reality and the relationships with diverse learning settings are closely explored in a brief literature review of VR application in education. In addition, a small qualitative case study was conducted through an online survey posted on Facebook “VR in Education” pages and groups directed towards participants actively engaged in current issues about virtual reality in educational processes. Data included thirteen completed questionnaires from participants, from eleven different countries, that have experienced learning and/or teaching in virtual reality contexts or are focusing their work and research on issues on immersive virtual environments in education. The qualitative method of content analysis of data received through questionnaires was applied, and the results were presented through thirteen short stories of learning and/or teaching experiences and reflections on the use of virtual reality immersive technologies in the learning and teaching processes. A special focus in the analysis of these stories was directed towards the possible interconnections in learning and teaching content of other subjects through English (as a first, second or foreign language) or other languages.