By Ms Heimfeld (English Teacher)
As a new teacher to BGS this term, I am keen to engage with the school's innovative emphasis on using technology for more immersive learning.
With invaluable support from Ms Rogers (LRC Manager) and Mrs Hudson-Findley (Director of Digital Learning, Enterprise and Sustainability), a lesson was planned to enable Year 9 English students to use the VR headsets with the aim of supporting their contextual understanding of Journey's End by R.C. Sherriff.
On Friday 10th November, we were exploring the trenches of WW1 with interactive scenarios. First the students examined a detailed photograph from 1918, considering the landscape and distances from the British line across No Man's Land and the German soldiers only 100 yards away. Next, we explored what life was like in the trenches for the soldiers, seeing the barbed wire, and hearing the rain. Finally, the students were guided through the trenches by gaining an insight into the layout of the tunnels, showing the officer's quarters and the ladders ready for going over the top. After the session we returned to the classroom and read to the end of Act 1. The VR experience greatly helped the students to embody their characters.
Zaina (Year 9) reflected: “I liked using VR in English as it gave you another perspective to what our English topic was and gave us a visual idea of what the atmosphere was like. It helps us with our understanding of Journeys End.... We were able to identify multiple issues about being in the trenches in WW1 which are mentioned in the play such as the state of the trenches and the amount of people who had died in the war.”
Emily (Year 9) added: “It makes it easier to understand what it actually would feel like to be in the trenches, it will help me understand the play more because I can imagine/see everything rather than just reading it.”
Meg (Year 9) said: “I found it very interactive, and a really good way of getting a clear understanding of what it was like at that time. I found it really fun, and learnt a lot through the visuals.”
