Virtual and augmented realities have been all the rage the last few years. VR and AR tools are used within the workforce, classrooms, and personally. For instance, Pokémon Go was a very popular virtual reality game that everyone was downloading around 2016. The app stated “you will need to explore your real-world surroundings (RayL, 2016).” This app was downloaded by thousands and got people up and out of their houses to explore. Although I think these kinds of apps are fascinating, I believe its academic benefits are slim. I also feel that apps like these can be dangerous for users young and old. For this reason, I chose to focus on a more academic VR/AR tool, the Ricoh Theta-S 360 camera.
The Ricoh Theta-S 360 camera offers a 360 degree view of its surroundings. In the article Virtually There: Kids are using VR to explore worlds and create new ones, the author explains how different schools around the United States use technology within their school. Parkville High School created a project to help other students learn about social anxiety. They used the Ricoh Theta-S 360 camera to create a video titled “Breaking Barriers.” In the video, students see from a student point of view how it feels to have social anxiety. The project was completely student driven and created.
The camera is not very costly, only about $499. This is less than buying a Canon Rebel, which are used by many schools for publications. The camera can be used for various projects within the school setting. It is small, light and easy to use. The purchasing website explains how it is easy to edit video and that users shouldn’t be worried about having unsteady hands when videoing, because editing will assist in fixing this. The company also offers a 30-day risk free return. This means you can try the product with your students and if it doesn’t work well, you can send it back.
Rylo camera purchase includes:
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360 Camera
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Rylo Everyday Case
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16GB microSD card
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Battery
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Charging cable
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Lightning (iOS), micro-USB, and USC-C sync cables
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Protective Pouch
In the school where I currently work, students and teachers have started to create videos which are being used during our advisement period each week. The videos are created to inform students about courses we offer or about a strategy that will help them when they leave high school. One of the biggest issues we have is camera quality and making the videos meaningful for students. If we could use a Ricoh Theta-S 360 camera offered through Rylo, students could come in the library and watch the 360 videos on a VR screen. They could also watch it using the app provided by Rylo. This would make the video more interactive and hopefully more meaningful.
Meyers, L. (2017). Virtually There: Kids are using VR to explore worlds and create new ones. Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=virtually-kids-using-vr-explore-worlds-create-new-ones.
RayL. (2016). Pokemon Go at Trinton Public Library. Retrieved from https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/kids-books/2016/07/pok%C3%A9mon-go-at-toronto-public-library.html.
Rylo. (2019). Retrieved from https://shop.rylo.com/.
761 Informational Technology in the School Library 
Those teens really did an amazing job making that movie. The editing seems a little intimidating and I bet Liam knew more about it that I would if I tried to take it on, but I’m sure I could figure it out with tutorials. I bet making the advisement videos for your school with this camera would be really neat and it would grab their attention. Maybe you could apply for a grant and get one or two for your school so you can give it a try?
~Kathryn Blair
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I have to agree with you, that the Pokemon Go VR game was definitely not created with the safety of our children in mind. It seems as if the children were starting to become obsessed with the game. There were articles in the news about children leaving their homes to go find pokemon. I still don’t even see the purpose behind the game. However, it was very dangerous and I am so happy that the app is not as popular as it used to me. The article was also very interesting and I also plan to use it to create more virtual lesson in the library. Our students also have advisement sessions once a month, and there are never enthused about a team of teachers getting in front of them and talking about the same issues that we discuss everywhere. This could be a fresh start for advisement and it would definitely draw the students’ attention adn get them much more involved in the lessons that are being taught. I am looking forward to implementing this in my library. Thanks for sharing!
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You make a good point in mentioning the safety aspect. As with any new device or technology that is brought into a school library or classroom, planning and troubleshooting must take place prior to student interaction. One of the articles from this week’s reading mentioned using a swivel chair when a learner had a VR headset on. Once safety issues have been addressed the VR headsets and cameras provide a unique ability to see from other’s perspectives and develop empathy for those different from ourselves. The VR headset is an amazing tool that offers learning experiences in new and exciting ways!
Thank you for sharing,
McCabe
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