Technology-mediated Crisis Response in Language Studies - Senta Goertler
4. Developing and Implementing Virtual Reality Simulations for Medical Spanish as a Response to Emergency Teaching
Technology-mediated Crisis Response in Language Studies - Senta Goertler
Giovanni Zimotti [+]
University of Iowa
Alyssia Miller De Rutté [+]
Colorado State University
Description
Chapter 4 authors, Giovanni Zimotti and Alyssia Miller De Rutté, home in on a promising tech-mediated solution that emerged during ERTL, especially in applied/professional contexts: virtual reality (VR) immersion. Community-engaged language learning contexts were especially impacted by social distancing measures. To make up for the no longer available clinical settings, Zimotti and Miller examined two similar but distinct learning environments. They explored student perceptions of VR-mediated learning in the context of medical Spanish courses, finding that students experienced increased enjoyment and a reduction of anxiety. Given the increased stress often experienced during the pandemic, these were welcome additions which hold positive implications for continued VR use in L2 learning contexts post-pandemic. Nevertheless, the authors discuss how completely replacing real-world experiences with VR-mediated learning, as was required during ERTL, holds important implications which must be considered.