360-degree video supports students during lockdown
Being part of a real classroom is an invaluable experience for primary school student teachers. The next best thing may be the opportunities offered by a virtual classroom. To that end, Deakin’s Dr Maria Nicholas from the School of Education introduced a 360-degree interactive video for her Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Primary) students.
The video, produced by the Deakin eSolutions team, was initially designed for viewing in the Nyaal, Deakin’s state-of-the-art immersive learning facility. However, lockdown restrictions closed this venue as a viewing option for students. Serendipitously, the video production happened before classes went entirely online.
The footage features a primary school classroom in action. The specialised camera set to the middle of the room allows for a 360-degree perspective for the viewer. As the lesson unfolds, the camera captures detailed teacher and student interactions. While initially intended to be taught across campuses, Dr Nicholas repurposed the video resource in new ways for her students.
One undergraduate assessment required students to observe and report on a live classroom experience – something unavailable during school closures. Enter the 360-video. The technology embedded in the video allowed for an immersive experience viewable online. Students could remotely observe and analyse the virtual classroom environment to complete the assessment.
Dr Nicholas also used the video in online modules to provide contextualising information that would support student assessment in the Master of Teaching (Primary). Students could click and drag to navigate around the room or utilise VR glasses to look at different details at any point, rewinding and viewing the same events from different angles. The viewing options meant students could observe guided reading and entire group writing in action to help inform assignment writing and the overall learning experience.
If you would like to learn more about this project or get some advice on creating your 360-video as a teaching resource, contact Dr Nicholas.