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VR Diary: WW2 Soldier's Perspective

Grade 10History1 days

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5.0 (1 rating)

In the 'VR Diary: WW2 Soldier's Perspective' project, 10th-grade students explore the causes and effects of World War II by creating virtual reality experiences from the perspective of soldiers of that era. Through a series of activities including artifact analysis, storyboard creation, and VR environment development, students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of historical events using technology. The project not only enhances historical knowledge but also hones students' research, creative communication, and technical skills, culminating in a VR showcase demonstrating their learnings and insights.

Virtual RealityWorld War IISoldier ExperienceHistorical AnalysisDigital StorytellingTechnological Skills

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use virtual reality to recreate and understand the experiences of soldiers in World War II, focusing on both the causes and effects of the war?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What were the key causes and effects of World War II?
How did individual soldiers experience and perceive key events during World War II?
In what ways can technology, such as virtual reality, enhance our understanding of historical events?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Understand and analyze the major causes and effects of World War II.
Develop empathy and insights into the experiences of individual soldiers during World War II.
Utilize virtual reality technology to create an immersive historical experience.
Enhance communication skills through creative digital expression.

California History-Social Science Content Standards

HSS-10.8

Primary

Analyze the causes and consequences of World War II.Reason: This standard directly addresses the core content of the project, focusing on understanding the causes and effects of World War II.

HSS-10.9

Secondary

Analyze the international developments in the post-World World II world.Reason: While not the main focus, understanding post-WWII developments is relevant and supports the comprehensive study of its effects.

ISTE Standards for Students

ISTE-1

Supporting

Empowered Learner: Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.Reason: The project involves creating a VR experience, aligning with leveraging technology for learning purposes.

ISTE-6

Supporting

Creative Communicator: Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.Reason: The project requires students to design a VR experience, showcasing creative communication through digital media.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

VR Time Capsule Discovery

Students 'discover' a time capsule containing various WW2 soldier artifacts, which lead to the idea of preserving these stories through a VR experience. This sparks curiosity about history and the technology to showcase it.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Artifact Analysis Workshop

Students will analyze the artifacts discovered in the VR Time Capsule to understand and contextualize a soldier's experience during World War II. This will serve as the foundation for the VR narrative they will create.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Introduce students to the concept of primary sources and historical artifacts.

2. Provide each student with copies or images of the artifacts found in the VR Time Capsule.

3. Students will work in groups to analyze the artifacts, focusing on what each item might reveal about the soldier's experiences and the broader context of World War II.

4. Facilitate a class discussion where groups share their analyses and discuss the potential causes and effects depicted by the artifacts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed group report analyzing one or more artifacts, focusing on their historical context and relevance.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HSS-10.8 (Analyze the causes and consequences of World War II) by exploring evidence of historical events through artifacts.

Activity 2

Virtual Reality Storyline Sketch

Students will create a storyboard outlining their VR experience from a WW2 soldier's perspective, incorporating historical accuracy based on their artifact analysis.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Introduce the concept of storyboarding and its significance in planning a digital experience.

2. Students sketch the main events of their VR storyline, ensuring they reflect significant historical causes and effects identified in their analyses.

3. Create character profiles for the soldier(s) depicted, informed by historical facts and discussion on soldier experiences during WW2.

4. Peer review session: Students present their storyboards to peers for feedback, ensuring historical accuracy and emotional depth.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive storyboard with detailed scenes and character profiles for the VR experience.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports HSS-10.8 and ISTE-1 by connecting historical analysis with digital storytelling techniques.

Activity 3

Tech Tools Exploration Lab

In this activity, students will experiment with VR platforms and tools to learn how to bring their storyboards to life in a virtual environment.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Introduction to various VR tools and platforms available for educational use.

2. Hands-on session where students explore these tools and understand their functionalities.

3. Students experiment with creating basic VR environments using simple tools.

4. Discussion on the strengths and limitations of each tool, considering the requirements of their VR World War II narrative.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective journal documenting their experiences, challenges, and the potential of each tool for their project.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports ISTE-1 and ISTE-6 by actively engaging students in learning about and applying technology tools for creative communication.

Activity 4

VR Experience Development Sprint

Students will begin developing their VR world, integrating historical data, soldier narratives, and artistic elements to create an immersive experience.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Divide the class into roles such as researchers, developers, and designers, based on skills and interests.

2. Using their storyboard and tool learnings, students begin building their VR experiences.

3. Incorporate historical facts and empathy-driven narratives into the VR environment.

4. Iteratively test and refine VR scenes, collecting feedback from peers and teachers.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn initial version of the VR experience that integrates research and narrative elements, ready for further refinement.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HSS-10.8, ISTE-1, and ISTE-6 by combining historical understanding with immersive digital media production.

Activity 5

Final VR Showcase and Reflection

Students will present their completed VR experiences to the class and reflect on their learning journey, the causes and effects of WW2 explored, and the potential of VR in historical storytelling.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Each group presents their VR project to the class, showcasing the historical narratives and technical creativity.

2. Facilitate a class discussion on the impact of VR on understanding historical events.

3. Students write a reflective essay detailing their learning and how VR can transform historical education.

4. Collect feedback from peers and teachers on the VR experiences presented.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed VR project and a reflective essay discussing the learning outcomes and potential of VR in history education.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsWraps up the lessons on HSS-10.8, ISTE-1, and ISTE-6 by assessing the integration of historical and technological insights.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

WW2 VR Experience Rubric

Category 1

Historical Understanding

Assesses students' ability to accurately represent World War II causes and effects through artifacts and narrative in the VR experience.

Criterion 1

Historical Accuracy

Measures the correctness of historical facts and events represented in the VR project.

Exemplary

4 Points

All historical elements are meticulously accurate with clear connections to primary sources.

Proficient

3 Points

Most historical elements are accurate with minor errors in details or interpretation.

Developing

2 Points

Some historical inaccuracies present; understanding appears basic or incomplete.

Beginning

1 Points

Many inaccuracies and a fundamental misunderstanding of key events.

Criterion 2

Artifact Analysis

Assesses the depth of analysis regarding the artifacts and their historical context.

Exemplary

4 Points

Analysis is detailed and insightful, clearly connecting artifacts to historical context and soldier experiences.

Proficient

3 Points

Analysis is accurate and reasonable, showing good connection to historical context.

Developing

2 Points

Limited analysis with some unclear connections to historical context.

Beginning

1 Points

Connections to historical context are minimal or incorrect.

Category 2

Creative Communication

Evaluates the effectiveness and creativity of the VR storytelling and communication skills.

Criterion 1

Narrative Cohesion

Assesses how well the story is structured and the clarity of its message.

Exemplary

4 Points

Story is compelling, well-structured, and conveys emotional and historical depth seamlessly.

Proficient

3 Points

Story is coherent and conveys the message clearly with minor issues in structure.

Developing

2 Points

Story has some inconsistencies and lacks emotional or historical depth.

Beginning

1 Points

Story is confusing or incomplete, lacking a clear message or structure.

Criterion 2

Use of Digital Media

Measures creativity and aptitude in using digital tools to express historical narratives.

Exemplary

4 Points

Digital media is used innovatively to enhance the storytelling experience.

Proficient

3 Points

Digital media is used appropriately, supporting the storytelling experience.

Developing

2 Points

Digital media use is basic or inconsistent, offering limited narrative support.

Beginning

1 Points

Digital tools are minimally or poorly used, detracting from storytelling.

Category 3

Technical Implementation

Assesses the technical skills and innovation in developing the VR experience.

Criterion 1

Technological Innovation

Evaluates the originality and effectiveness of the technical execution.

Exemplary

4 Points

The VR experience is technically sophisticated and innovative.

Proficient

3 Points

The VR experience is well-executed with some innovative use of technology.

Developing

2 Points

The VR experience is functional but lacks technical refinement.

Beginning

1 Points

Technical execution is flawed, resulting in an incomplete or non-functional experience.

Criterion 2

Problem Solving

Measures ability to identify and solve technical challenges during VR development.

Exemplary

4 Points

Consistently identifies and solves problems creatively and efficiently.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively addresses most technical challenges encountered.

Developing

2 Points

Shows some ability to address challenges, but uses limited solutions.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify or solve issues without external assistance.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on how the process of creating a VR experience from a World War II soldier's perspective deepened your understanding of the causes and effects of the war.

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Question 2

Rate your confidence in using VR technology to enhance historical storytelling on a scale from 1 to 5.

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which aspect of the project did you find most challenging and why?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Researching historical facts

Crafting the narrative

Technical VR development

Collaboration with peers

Question 4

How did exploring soldier artifacts and primary sources contribute to your understanding of historical events?

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Required

Question 5

In what ways do you believe VR can transform history education beyond traditional methods?

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Required