Published By: Live Science, 03/16/2017

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Summary

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles (NHMLA) collaborated with designers from Wevr to develop an oceanic underwater virtual reality (VR) experience for visitors. The VR gives visitors an opportunity to explore and interact with marine animals in their natural habitat, with the further goal of raising awareness about environmental issues that threaten ocean wildlife.

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of Article: 14.9

Extended Discussion Questions

• Other than marine life, can you think of other subjects where virtual reality technologies could help to bring more awareness?
• Can you think of ways virtual reality might be useful in classroom education?
• • For what subjects might it be most beneficial?
  • What kinds of schools are most likely to use VR in the classroom? (In terms of economics, location, etc.)
• What disadvantages could arise from using virtual reality to…
  • Try to raise public awareness?
  • Educate students in classrooms?
• How do virtual reality and augmented reality differ? Which of the two do you think will have more beneficial impacts on the world? Why?
• How might virtual reality and augmented reality affect the way humans view the real world?

Relating This Story to the CSP Curriculum Framework

Global Impact Learning Objectives:

• LO 7.1.1 Explain how computing innovations affect communication, interaction, and cognition.
• LO 7.2.1 Explain how computing has impacted innovations in other fields.
• LO 7.4.1 Explain the connections between computing and real-world contexts, including economic, social, and cultural contexts.

Global Impact Essential Knowledge:

• EK 7.1.1J Sensor networks facilitate new ways of interacting with the environment and with physical systems.
• EK 7.2.1G Advances in computing as an enabling technology have generated and increased the creativity in other fields.
• EK 7.4.1C The global distribution of computing resources raises issues of equity, access, and power.

Other CSP Big Ideas:

• Idea 1 Creativity

Banner Image: “Network Visualization – Violet – Offset Crop“, derivative work by ICSI. New license: CC BY-SA 4.0. Based on “Social Network Analysis Visualization” by Martin Grandjean. Original license: CC BY-SA 3.0.