AR/VR Integration in ELT: Exploring Shanghai

 Let's Take a Virtual Trip to Shanghai!

Hi! Would you like to go to Shanghai, China? If yes, let's go!

In this assignment, we designed an AR/VR integrated teaching material for high school English preparatory students at the A2 level. The main aim of the task was to help learners explore a city abroad by using English in engaging way. We chose Shanghai, China as our focus city. Also, we completed the ASSURE lesson plan.

We structured the task in 5 main steps. Firstly, students explored two famous landmarks of Shanghai through 360° virtual tours. Next, they visited the Shanghai Natural History Museum using a VR experience and answered guiding questions. In the fourth step, students learned about the Spring Festival through short information, videos and visuals. Finally, students wrote a letter imagining that they had visited Shanghai and writing to a friend or family member who was planning a trip.

Compared to other assignments, this assignment was not very challenging for me. From the beginning, we divided the tasks easily and equally within the group which made the process more organized. Whenever we had questions or small difficulties, we consulted each other and found solutions together. The only challenging part was the design process which was slightly time-consuming. However, overall, the process was smooth.

Overall, this task showed that AR/VR can be a very helpful tool in ELT, when it is used in a meaningful way. These technologies make lessons more interesting, increase student motivation and create more realistic learning experiences than traditional materials. In my opinion, When AR/VR tools are used with well-designed activities, they can make language learning more enjoyable for EFL students. As a future English teacher, I can most likely see myself using AR/VR tool in my classroom.

Thanks for joining this virtual journey to Shanghai!

See you in the next post! 🌍😊

My teammates are: Aslı Özyıldırım, Beyza Zabun, Meryem Hilal Yıldırım

You can access the teaching material and ASSURE lesson plan through the links below👇👇:

• Teaching Material (Handout): https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7fCrQ9ZI/M8WcYBKjmp_82uswT__vgw/editutm_content=DAG7fCrQ9ZI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

• ASSURE Lesson Plan: https://marmaraedutr-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/yasemin_sagir_marun_edu_tr/IQCxR_Erz9wnRIfJnB6NCKNBASSQlSg4xe52SckNXn24blw?e=KX7JaH

The second draft

         After the feedback session, we made several revisions based on our teacher’s suggestions. For the section introducing the two landmarks, we added three guided questions to help students activate their background knowledge. In addition, we included one extra question for the Oriental Pearl Tower to support comprehension.

         In the Yu Yuan Garden section, we asked students to check Column A and watch the video again while paying close attention to the terms listed in Column A in order to complete Column B. 

        In the festival section, we added guiding questions before the reading task to prepare students for the text. Furthermore, we changed the order of the third and fourth questions so that they progress logically from factual questions to personal ones. Finally, we incorporated all revisions into ASSURE lesson plan.

Revised Teaching Material (Handout): https://www.canva.com/design/DAG8ImgfqS4/HLnKGK6Pi6aDj28j8AAtXg/edit?utm_content=DAG8ImgfqS4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Revised ASSURE Lesson Plan:https://marmaraedutr-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/hilalyildirim23_marun_edu_tr/IQB39XK8oIWUTJ9P9MqbB0wwAdRyWFSqaH7OcxSXyxFIuh8?e=HVKubt