2.2 Criteria for Evaluating VR Applications
The process of evaluation is often subjective and depends on many factors, however, there are some common criteria that all educators should consider when determining whether to use an app in an educational setting, including cost, equipment, operating system, and educational value.
Cost of a VR App
VR apps can be free, but not all of them are. If the app does cost money, it’s important to think of your budget. While $5 for an app might not seem expensive, the cost of purchasing the app for 40 students is expensive (of course, you could always put students in groups or just use a single VR device at a station to save some money).
A good practice is to compare pay-to-use apps to free alternatives, examining things such as quality, learning experience, content, and if the app is free, how is the company making money (e.g., is it collecting user data? Are ads embedded in the VR experience? Is it a freemium where you have to pay for more advanced features?)?
Equipment
Virtual Reality Headset
- The price of headsets can vary greatly. Budget headsets, such as the Google Cardboard, are generally $10-$30, or your students can design their own Google Cardboard using a template. Top-of-the line headsets, such as the HTC Vive, can cost over $500.
- Many apps will work just fine on budget headsets, such as Google Cardboard or the Samsung Gear VR.
Smartphones
- If you opt for a budget VR headset, like Google Cardboard, you may need to use a smartphone to view VR apps.
- You may want to poll students at the beginning of the semester to identify if they have smartphones.
- Polling will also let you know if their phones are iPhones (Apple) or Android phones (Samsung, LG, Google, etc.), as certain apps can only run on certain phone operating systems, which are outlined below.
Operating Systems
Operating systems are the software that a device uses as a platform to run various programs. The two main operating systems for smartphones are iOS and Android.
Knowing what operating system a phone is using is important, because not all apps are available both operating systems. Certain apps can only run on iOS, and likewise, certain apps can only run on Android. There are many apps that can run on both iOS and Android, but you need to check each app to make sure it will work on the smartphones to ensure every student can participate in the lesson.
Educational Value
Does the VR app present meaningful, academic experiences or valuable information? Will this teach your students what you want them to learn or will it simply be a fun distraction?
Here are a few questions to consider:
- What content does the app feature? Can the app be used to teach multiple subjects? For example, Google Expeditions could be used in English/Language Arts (students could write about, analyze, or compare and contrast places around the world), Math & Science (students could create their own math questions or scientific inquiries, such as how many different types of coral are on a single reef or why do some cities have skyscrapers but others do not?), and Social Studies (students could examine the landscape, environment, and culture of different places or explore historical artifacts in museums).
- Is the information provided by app accurate, detailed, and authentic?
- How will this app impact student learning? Does it offer students a unique experience that would not be possible in a standard classroom setting? How does the use of this app compare to traditional educational experiences, such as reading a textbook or watching a video?
Additional Considerations
There are plenty of aspects to consider when evaluating the educational value of a VR application in your classroom setting, such as accessibility, data and privacy, and functionality. Check out EduCause Review’s Rubric for Evaluating E-Learning Tools in Higher Education for other evaluation criteria to keep in mind.
Checkpoint
Imagine you were evaluating a VR application for use in your classroom. What types of things would you be looking for in an ideal app? What criteria would make an app less desirable for classroom use?
If you’re having a hard time conceptualizing this, take a look at the VR Application Criteria Checklist.
Learning Activity – Evaluate a VR App
- Find, download, and test out a VR app.
- Conduct an Internet search to find a VR app you could use in your practice (e.g., “math virtual reality apps”) or explore 15+ Best Educational VR Apps.
- Fill out the Evaluating VR Apps Form.
- Check out the data of other student evaluations in the Evaluating VR Apps Spreadsheet.
