The most eye opening section of this module was definitely the use of Marian Island. This is the first time I've seen or considered a virtual reality environment utilized as a learning and collaboration tool. It is definitely new and exciting territory. I've learned that it is easier for me to process new tools through the guess, test, revise method. In the Island, I did read through the how-to documentation, but it didn't really sink in until I tried it on my own. Once there, I would guess what certain buttons and features controlled and tested them. Most importantly, I allowed myself time to experiment within the environment.
This module has also encouraged me to consider different learning styles for myself and for others. Marian Island seems to incorporate many styles of learning, which I have not considered before. For visual learners there is more than enough images and content to devour, for the hands on learner it is easy to delve into avatar creation and movement, for the auditory learner it's easy to use a microphone. These are just a few of the ways that the virtual reality environment is able to engage users. Most notably, I find myself applying this type of reasoning with students as well. Analyzing students, I pay close attention to where they are excelling and for many it is through the use of online games. These games have characters that clap and cheer when an activity is completed correctly. These are things I'm making note of when considering using a virtual reality environment for education purposes. I learned that acquiring knowledge is not a one size fits all approach.
Another important aspect that I learned is how many ideas can be generated when working with colleagues. We all come from different backgrounds which allows for multiple perspectives. Working with others through the virtual reality environment, and through discussion posts inspires me to consider other avenues and applications of technology platforms. It's great to provide and receive feedback from team members.
Tailoring is just another great feature that I realized within this module. I have worked in both PowerPoint and Prezi before and both platforms can be tailored to very specific needs. Even reviewing the work of colleagues, it is very clear that we all have our own vision and tailor the same platform based on what makes the most sense to us. I'm excited to learn with everyone and we keep moving forward.
