Bringing the World to the Classroom: AR/VR Tokyo Project

Hello everyone! Welcome back to my blog. Today, I want to share an exciting journey we took into the digital world of language teaching. Have you ever thought about taking your students to Tokyo without even leaving the classroom? Well, we did exactly that!

First, I will explain what AR and VR mean. Augmented Reality (AR) adds digital elements to a live view, while Virtual Reality (VR) implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world. In language learning, these technologies are game-changers. They offer advantages like high student motivation and the ability to visit foreign countries instantly. However, there are disadvantages, such as the need for strong internet connections and the risk of technical issues disrupting the lesson flow.

For our project, we designed a "Virtual Tokyo Tour" for A2-level high school preparatory students. Our task guides students through landmarks like Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Tower using a handout equipped with QR codes. It transforms a reading lesson into an interactive journey where students describe atmospheres and explore a museum as "detectives."

Working with my partners was a productive experience, though we faced some challenges. The main problem was finding high-quality 360-degree videos that were appropriate for the students' level. We solved this by previewing dozens of videos on YouTube until we found the clearest ones.

To create these materials, we relied on YouTube for 360° videos and Google Arts & Culture for the virtual museum tour. We also used a QR Code Generator to link the physical handout to the digital content. Looking ahead, I definitely plan to use AR/VR in my future classes. It bridges the gap between the classroom and the real world, making language learning an unforgettable experience.

Check here to access the assets: ASSURE Lesson Plan and The Worksheet.

Check my group members' blogs: Muhammed Aslan, İrem Beyazıt, and Naz Emanetoğlu.

#EdTech #AIinEducation #Education #AIUsage #DigitalStorytelling #VisualLearning #Pedagogy #AssureModel #ELT #FlippedClassroom #EnglishTeaching #LanguageLearning #LessonPlanning #Technology #AR #AugmentedReality #VR #VirtualReality