Virtual Reality in the schools

VR in the Schools is a peer-reviewed publication of the Virtual Reality and Education Laboratory (VREL), published by East Carolina University. "VR in the Schools" addresses issues of incorporating virtual reality into the education system. "Virtual reality" is the computer-generated simulation of a real or an imagined environment. It can be graphics based (e.g., a walk-through of a building) or text based (e.g., a description of a city where participants can interact with one another).

"VR in the Schools" is available free of charge. The current co-editors are Dr. Veronica S. Pantelidis and Mr. David C. Vinciguerra.

Education

The development of model Virtual reality applications suited to education uses, particularly in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12), is largely unexplored territory, although military, government, and industry training programs have employed simulations using some form of virtual reality for years.

History

VR in the Schools is published by the Virtual Reality and Education Laboratory (VREL) in the [http://www.coe.ecu.edu College of Education] at East Carolina University. The journal began as a quarterly, issued in June, September, December, and March. Volumes 1 and 2 were distributed in print format initially. World Wide Web (online electronic) versions were subsequently made available. Beginning with volume 3, VR in the Schools was distributed only in the World Wide Web version and no longer as a quarterly. Distributing via the World Wide Web provides the fastest dissemination of information which is necessary in the field of virtual reality due to the subjects rapidly changing technology. The Virtual Reality and Education Laboratory at East Carolina University is dedicated to finding ways to use virtual reality in education. Recognizing the need for a laboratory to study the implications of virtual reality on K-12 education, Dr. Larry Auld and Dr. Veronica S. Pantelidis established the Virtual Reality and Education Laboratory at East Carolina in 1992. The current co-directors are Dr. Pantelidis and Mr. David Vinciguerra.

Goals

The Goals of VREL are as follows:
*Identify suitable applications of virtual reality in education
*Evaluate and demonstrate virtual reality software, equipment, and related print and nonprint materials.
*Gather information on the use of virtual reality in education throughout the world.
*Examine the impact of virtual reality on education.
*Disseminate this information as broadly as possible.

taff

*Dr. Veronica Pantelidis - Co-Editor
*Mr. David C. Vinciguerra - Co-Editor
*Dr. Lawrence Auld - Co-Editor emeritus
*Dr. Tassos Mikropoulos - editorial advisor, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
*Dr. Melissa M. Selverian - editorial advisor, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
*Ms. Debra S. Pylypiw - editorial advisor, Art Educator, White Oak High School, Jacksonville, North Carolina, USA

=External Links=
* [http://vr.coe.ecu.edu/pub.htm Official site]
* [http://www.thejournal.com/articles/14425/ article in thejournal.com]