VIRTUALLY THERE: VIRTUAL REALITY DELIVERED VIRTUAL FIELD EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENT LEARNING

Virtual Field Experiences and Investigations (VFEs) are a revolutionary way for educators to take students places that are logistically impossible otherwise. Such technologies took off and developed rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic and their relevance remains. Courses in secondary through college settings are delivered in modalities ranging from in person to asynchronously online, serving student groups sitting in a physical classroom to those spread virtually across wide regions. Field experiences of any kind are logistically challenging in traditional in person settings, but are far more challenging than ever in the virtual. VFEs can effectively fill this need. While they cannot fully replace the full sensory experience garnered through environmental immersion, many educational studies of VFEs have demonstrated their ability to convey critical content as effectively. By combining web-hosted 360 imagery-based VFEs and VR technologies, students can go anywhere and broaden their experience and investigation of subject matter through exciting new places. The enriching experience of field investigations can still be found in virtual environments from secondary to college classrooms.