Virtual reality is an emerging technology that has resulted in rapid expansion in the development of virtual immersive environments for use as educational simulations in schools, colleges and universities. This article presents an overview of virtual reality, describes a number of applications currently being used by special educators for personnel preparation in colleges and universities and for service delivery to children and adults with disabilities in K-12 schools and community services, and discusses possible future directions in virtual reality applications and their implications for rural special education.
AldrichC. (2009). Learning online with games, simulations, and virtual worlds: Strategies for online instruction. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
2.
AndreassenJ. B., HaciomerogluE. S., AkyuzD., CoskunS., CristwellS., WhitbyS. B. (2008). Teacher training in multiple environments: Microteach versus virtual. Florida Association of Teacher Educators Journal,1(8), 1-2.
3.
AranO., AriI., AkarunL., SankurB., BenoitA., CaplierA., CamprP., CarrilloA. H., & FanardF.X. (2009). SignTutor: An interactive system for sign language tutoring, IEEE Multimedia,16(1), 81-93.
BurdeaG. C., & CoiffetP. (2003). Virtual reality technology(2nd ed). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
6.
CalandraB., & PuvirajahA. (2014). Teacher practice in multi-user virtual environments: A fourth space. Tech Trends,58(6), 29-35.
7.
ChangG., MorrealeP. & MedicherlaP. (2010). Applications of augmented reality systems in education. In GibsonD. & DodgeB. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2010 (pp. 1380-1385). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
8.
CheongD. (2010). The effects of practice teaching sessions in Second Life on the change in pre-service teachers' teaching efficacy. Computers & Education,55, 868-880.
9.
ChristensenR., Tyler-WoodT., KnezekG., & GibsonD. (2011). Sim-School: An online dynamic simulator for enhancing teacher education. International Journal of Learning Technology, 6(2), 201–220.
10.
ClymerE. W., GeigelJ., BehmG., & MastersK. (2012, March). Use of signing avatars to enhance direct communication support for deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Rochester, NY: National Technical Institute for the Deaf Center on Access Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology. Retrieved from http://www.ntid.rit.edu/sites/default/files/cat/NTID-SigningAvatar_20Mar2012_Final.pdf.
11.
DedeC. (2009). Immersive interfaces for engagement and learning. Science, 323, 66-69.
DickeyM. D. (2005). Brave new (interactive) worlds: A review of the design affordances and constraints of two 3D virtual worlds as interactive learning environments. Interactive Learning Environments,13(1-2), 121-137.
14.
DiekerL. A., HynesM., HughesC., & SmithE. (2008). Implications of mixed reality and simulation technologies on special education and teacher preparation. Focus on Exceptional Children,40(6), 1-21.
15.
DiekerL. A., RodriguezJ. A., Lignugaris KraftB., HynesM., & HughesC. (2014). The potential of simulated environments in teacher education: Current and future possibilities. Teacher Education and Special Education,37(1), 21-33.
16.
ElfordM., CarterR. A.Jr., & AroninS. (2013). Teachers use bug-in-ear coaching to practice feedback techniques with student avatars. Journal of Staff Development,13(1), 40-43.
17.
FalconerL. (2013) Situated learning in virtual simulations: Researching the authentic dimension in virtual worlds. Journal of Interactive Learning Research,24(3), 285-300.
18.
FranklinT., & ArnettaL. (2011). Digital games and simulations in teacher preparation. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education,19(3), 239-242.
19.
GaoF., NoeJ. J., & KoehlerM. J. (2009). Comparing role-playing activities in Second Life and face-to-face environments. Journal of Interactive Learning Research,20(4), 422-443.
20.
GregoryS., & MastersY., (2012). Real thinking with virtual hats: A role-playing activity for pre-service teachers in Second Life. Journal of Educational Technology,28(3), 420-440.
21.
GolanO., AshwinE., GranaderY., McClintockS., DayK., LeggettV., & Baron-CohenS. (2010). Enhancing emotion recognition in children with autism spectrum conditions: An intervention using animated vehicles with real emotional faces. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 40(3), 269–279.
HallV., Conboy-HillS., & TaylorD. (2011). Using virtual reality to provide health care information to people with intellectual disabilities: Acceptability, usability, and potential utility. Journal of Medical Internet Research,13(4), doi:10.2196/jmir.1917.
HewK. F., & ChuengW. S. (2010). Use of three-dimension (3-D) immersive virtual worlds in K-12 and higher education settings: A review of the research. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41, 33-55.
26.
HixonE., & SoH.-J. (2009). Technology's role in field experiences for preservice teacher training. Educational Technology & Society, 12(4), 294–304.
27.
HopkinsI., GowerM., PerezT., SmithD., AmthorF., WimsattCasey, & BiasiniF. (2011). Avatar assistant: Improving social skills in students with an ASD through a computer-based intervention. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 41 (11), 1543–1555.
28.
HopperS., KnezekG., & ChristensenR. (2013). Assessing alignment of pedagogical experience and confidence in a simulated classroom environment. In McBrideR. & SearsonM.(Eds.). Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2013 (pp. 2870-2876). Chesapeake, VA: American Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
29.
HurdichJ. (2008). Utilizing lifelike, 3D animated signing avatar characters for the instruction of K-12 deaf learners. Paper presented at the International Tech Symposium on Instructional Technology and Education of the Deaf, National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID), Rochester, NY.
30.
InmanD. P., LogeK., CramA., & PetersonM. (2011). Learning to drive a wheelchair in virtual reality. Journal of Special Education Technology,26(3), 21-34.
31.
JeffsT. (2009). Virtual reality and special needs. Themes in Science and Technology Education,2(1), 253-268.
32.
JudgeS., BobzienJ., MaydoszA., GearS., & KatsioloudisP. (2013). The use of visual-based simulated environments in teacher preparation. Journal of Education and Training Studies,1(1), 88-97.
33.
KappK. M., & O'DriscollT. (2010). Learning in 3D: Adding a new dimension to enterprise learning and collaboration. San Francisco: Pfeiffer.
34.
KimS. H., LeeJ., & ThomasM. K. (2012). Between purpose and method: A review of educational research on 3D virtual worlds. Journal of Virtual Worlds Research,5(1), 1-18.
35.
KirkwoodA., & PriceL. (2013). Technology-enhanced learning and teaching in higher education: What is ‘enhanced’ and how do we know? A critical literature review. Learning, Media, and Technology,39(1), 6-36.
36.
KnezekG., FisserP., GibsonD., ChristensenR., & Tyler-WoodT. (2012). SimSchool: Research outcomes from simulated classrooms. In Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2012. Chesapeake, VA: American Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
37.
LahavO., SchloerbD. W., & SrinivasanM. A. (2013). Virtual environment system in support of a traditional orientation and mobility rehabilitation program for people who are blind. Presence,22(3), 235-254.
38.
LandalaftM. R., DidehbaniN., KrawczwkD. C., AllenT. T., & ChapmanS. B. (2013). Virtual reality social cognition training for young adults with high-functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(1). doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1544-6.
39.
LangoneJ., CleesT., RieberL., & MatzkoM. (2003). The future of computer-based interactive technology for teaching individuals with moderate to severe disabilities: Issues relating to research and practice. Journal of Special Education Technology,18(1), 5-15.
40.
LauferY., & WeissP.L. (2011). Virtual reality in the assessment and treatment of children with motor impairment: A systematic review. Journal of Physical Therapy Education,25 (1), 59-71.
LotanM., Yalon-ChamovitzS. & WeissP. L. (2011). Training caregivers to provide virtual reality intervention for adults with severe intellectual and developmental disability. Journal of Physical Therapy Education,25(1).
MantovaniF., CastelnuovoG., GaggioliA., & RivaG. (2003). Virtual reality training for health-care professionals. Cyber-psychology & Behavior Impact,6(4), 389-395.
45.
MarghituD., BellT., KearnsB., WardB. & Stephen-PopeK. (2009). Using virtual worlds to engage typical and special needs students in kinesthetic computer science activities: A computer science unplugged case study. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia2009 (pp. 183-188). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
46.
MaskeyM., LowryJ., RidgersJ., McConacheH., & ParrJ. R. (2014). Reducing specific phobia/fear in young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) through a virtual reality environment. PLoS One, 9(7), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100374.
47.
MasonL.L., JeonT.K., BlairP., & GlombN. (2011). Virtual tutor training: Learning to teach in a multi-user virtual environment. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulation,3, 51-67.
48.
McPhersonR., Tyler-WoodT., McEnturff EllisonA., & PeakP. (2011). Using a Computerized classroom simulation to prepare pre-service teachers. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education,19(1), 93-110.
49.
MilgramD., TakemuraH., UtsumiA., & KishinoF. (1994). Augmented reality: A class of displays on the reality-virtuality continuum. Telemanupulator and Telepresence Technologies, 2351, 284-292.
50.
MitchellP., ParsonsS., & LeonardA. (2007). Using virtual environments for teaching social understanding to 6 adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders,37, 589-600.
51.
MuirT., AllenJ., RaynerC., & ClelandB. (2013). Preparing pre-service teachers forclassroom practice in a virtual world: A pilot study using Second Life. Journal of Interactive Media In Education,3, 1-17.
PassigD., & EdenS. (1999). Enhancing cognitive skills of hearing impaired children with 3D rotating objects in virtual reality. In CollisB. & OliverR. (Eds.), Proceedings of EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology1999 (pp. 834-839). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
54.
PeakP., McPhersonR., BarrioB., KnezekG., EllisonA., & ChristensenR. (2009). Perceptions of special education pre-service and in-service teachers. In GibsonI. et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for2009 (pp. 3976-3981). Chesapeake, VA: American Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
RizzoA., & KimG. J. (2005). A SWOT analysis of the field of virtual reality rehabilitation and therapy. Presence,14(2), 119-146.
57.
RizzoA., RequejoP., WinsteinC. J., LangeB., RagusaG., MeriansA., PattonJ., BanerjeeP., & AisenM.2011). Virtual reality applications for addressing the needs of those aging with disability. In WestwoodJ. D. et al. (Eds.), Medicine meets virtual reality (pp. 510-516). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
58.
RizzoA., StricklandD., & BouchardS. (2004). The challenge of using virtual reality in tele rehabilitation. Telemedicine Journal and e-Health,10(2), 184-195.
59.
RussellM., KavanaughM., MastersJ., HigginsJ., & HoffmannT. (2009). Computer-based signing accommodations: Comparing a recorded human with an avatar. Journal of Applied Testing Technology,10(3), 1-20.
60.
SalernY., GropackS. J., CoffinD., & GodwinE. M. (2012). Effectiveness of a low-cost virtual reality system for children with developmental delay: A preliminary randomized single-blind controlled trial. Physiotherapy,98(3), 189-195.
61.
SchmidtE., & CohenF. (2013). The new digital age: Reshaping the future of people, nations and business. New York: Random House.
62.
SchmidtM. M. (2014). Designing for learning in a three-dimensional virtual learning environment: A design-based research approach. Journal of Special Education Technology,29(4), 59-71.
StichterJ. P., LaffeyJ., GalyenK., & HerzogM. (2013). iSocial: Delivering the Social Competence Intervention for Adolescents (SCI-A) in a 3D virtual learning environment for youth with high functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 417-430.
StrangemanN., & HallT. (2002). Virtual reality/computer simulations: Curriculum enhancement. Wakefield, MA: National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum.
WeaverK. A., HamiltonH., ZafrullaZ., BrashearH., StarnerT., PrestiP., & BruckmanA. (2010). Improving the language ability of deaf signing children through an interactive American Sign Language-based video game. In (Proceedings of 9th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (Vol. 2, pp. 306-307). Atlanta, GA: International Society of the Learning Sciences.
75.
WhittenE., EnicksA., WallaceL., & MorganD. (2013, July). Study of a mixed reality virtual environment used to increase teacher effectiveness in a preservice preparation program. In HayesS.A.HardinL.DiekerC.HughesM. Hynes, & StraubC. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 1st National TeachLivE Conference (pp. 38-44). Orlando, FL, University of Central Florida.
ZhuJ., MoshellJ. M., OntañónS., ErbiceanuE. & HughesC. E. (2011). Why can't a virtual character be more like a human: A mixed-initiative approach to believable agents. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Volume 6774 (pp. 289-296). Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.
