Table 5
VR Course Project Activity and Outcome Descriptions

 

VR Project Project Context/Activity Social Studies Objectives Related to Virginia SOL's (and NCSS Themes) Grade Level(s) Addressed

Pieces of the Past

[http://webvr.ed.vt.edu/hinch_mart/
Webpage.html]

 Situation Exploration/Creation Context.Students use the virtual reality field trip to support the creation of web-based project that focuses on a local historical landmark in an effort to increase awareness of cultural heritage of community

Students will explain how regional landscapes reflect cultural characteristics of their inhabitants as well as historical events.

(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change; People, Places & Environments)

 Middle and High School

Yellow Sulphur Springs: A Virtual Exploration[http://webvr.ed.vt.edu/smith/
vrexploration/yss/]

 Situation Exploration/Creation Context.Students study an American Folk painter (whose work included the subject of Yellow Sulphur Springs) and generate an original piece of historic art based on his style. Visual arts outcomes addressed Middle and High School
Yellow Sulphur Springs: Renovation or Demolition[http://webvr.ed.vt.edu/hodges/] Reference Exploration/Creation Context.Students can use the website to examine arguments for and against maintaining the historic site in face of ongoing construction and development.

The student will

a) develop skills in discussion, debate and persuasive writing with respect to enduring issues and determine how divergent views have been addressed and reconciled.

b) Analyze patterns of urban development in terms of the environment.

(NCSS Themes: People, Places and Environment; Science, Technology and Society)

 High School
Exploring Yellow Sulphur Springs[http://
webvr.ed.vt.edu/gardner]		 Situation/Reference Exploration/Creation Contexts.Students use the site to explore scenes at Yellow Sulphur Springs to write a paper that compares aspects of life in the past with the present

Students write an essay to discuss how life (leisure in early Virginia history compares to life in present times

(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change)

 Elementary
Yellow Sulphur Springs VR Visit[http://ext.vt.edu/~itdev/
yellowsulphursprings/index.html]		 Situation Exploration/Game.Students use the site to explore and complete "three fun tasks." As students participate in the game they have to read and gather information to then produce a time line ofthe growth of Yellow Sulphur Springs.

Students develop historical analysis skills including making generalizations about the life in Virginia history using primary sources.Summarizing and sequencing major events in Virginia history from 1607 to the present.

(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change)

 Elementary
Welcome to Yellow Sulphur Springs[http://webvr.ed.vt.edu/dettmann/
vrwebpgs/welcome.html]		 Situation Exploration/Reference Exploration/Creation.Students use the material provided to help structure a report and participate in a debate surrounding topics dealing with alternative medicine

Students will develop skills for historical analysis.Students will analyze past and present trends in human migration and cultural interaction as they are influenced by social, economic, political, and environmental factors

(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change; People, Places & Environments)

 High School
Spring into History. Yellow Sulphur Springs[http://www.learning.ed.
vt.edu/springs/]		 Reference Exploration. Students use the web page to learn the history of Yellow Sulphur Springs. Inquiry activities provide opportunities to layer local history within a national context. Hot buttons to dictionary definitions provide students with key facts and terms pertaining to events in the 1920's and 1930's.

Students will:

a) describe the ideas and events of the 1920's and 1930's, with emphasis on prohibition, speakeasies and bootlegging.

b) Explain the great Depression and its effects,

c) Develop skills for historical analysis

(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change)

 Middle School

My Walk into the Past: Journal Entries
fromYellow Sulphur Springs
[http://webvr.ed.vt.edu/dunford/
web/index.htm]

Situation Creation/Creation Contexts.

Students write a series of journal entries based upon their virtual visits which range from describing the life of a hobo to expressing their concerns with regard to

The students will:

a) develop skills for historical analysis…to make generalizations about events and life in US

b) explain Great depression and its effects.

(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change;

Middle School
Developing a Personal Land Ethic[http://webvr.ed.vt.edu/tillman/lan Reference Exploration Context.Students are introduced to differing perspectives of environmental awareness.

Students will a) analyze how selected physical and ecological process shape the Earth's surface in terms of how humans influence and are influence by environment and how peoples ideas and relationship to the environment change over time; analyze problems related to human mobility, social structure, andenvironment.

(NCSS Themes: People, Places & Environments; Civic Ideals & Practices)

Middle and High School

Hobo Camp at Yellow Sulphur Springs[http://www.learning.
ed.vt.edu/hobosite

 Tutorial Context.Students are provided with information pertaining to the Great Depression and the creation of a hobo camp at Yellow Sulphur springs. Using the information students take an online quiz based on the information presented.

The students will analyze and explain the Great Depression, with emphasis on the impact of the Depression on the American people; impact of the New Deal economic policies; and impact of expanded role of government.

(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change; Production, Distribution and Consumption; Individuals, Groups & Institutions)

 Middle and High School
Yellow Sulphur Springs[http://webvr.ed.vt.
edu/long/vr_site/]		 Reference Exploration/Creation Contexts.Students use the site to produce descriptive essays that focus on the history of Yellow Sulphur Springs, the nature of the springs and at the resort. The student will develop historical analysis skills including, identifying, analyzing and making generalizations about life in Virginia History.(NCSS Themes: Time, Continuity and Change; People, Places & Environments) Middle and High School
Table 5
VR Course Project Activity and Outcome Descriptions