Elias Söderström, Rasmus Dahlgren, Leon Bodell, nina Petronijevic and Laura madziarowicz all seem quite peppy on reading training with VR.
Angie Gray
Research suggests excessive screen time can hinder language and learning in children.
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Yet, at Hästens free school, students use both mobile phones and VR glasses for reading practice.
It’s reading time in 3rd grade at Hästens school near Sunneplan. Students retrieve their mobile phones from a box provided by leisure educator henrik Hagren. They then grab white cardboard and their VR glasses.
Wait a minute… reading time with mobile phones? and VR glasses?!
That’s exactly right. Every morning for twelve weeks, teh class begins the school day with screen-based reading training.
– It feels a bit ironic. Using a screen to address problems potentially caused by screens, admits Headmistress Cecilia Jonsson.
Improving Eye Coordination
Research indicates that high screen usage can negatively impact children’s language skills. It’s believed to affect concentration and learning ability, particularly in younger children.
However, the activity in the Farsta classroom isn’t typical screen time. It utilizes a program developed by IMVI labs, in collaboration with researchers from the Karolinska Institute.The program focuses on improving what’s called convergence.
– It exercises vision by training the coordination of the eyes. The students have to focus on a point that moves closer and further away, explains Cecilia Jonsson.
The students read short texts on their mobile phones while wearing VR glasses. The VR glasses create a 3D effect, making the text appear to move. This forces their eyes to work harder to maintain focus.
The program is based on the idea that many children today have difficulty with convergence because they spend so much time looking at flat screens.This can lead to problems with reading and learning.
The initial results from Hästens school are promising. Teachers report that students are more focused and engaged during reading time. There are also indications that their reading skills are improving.
Key Takeaways:
- Addressing a Paradox: The school is intentionally using screens to combat potential negative effects of screen time.
- Focus on Convergence: The program targets improving eye coordination, specifically the ability to converge (focus on a moving point).
- VR & Mobile integration: Students use mobile phones to read text displayed within a VR surroundings.
- Early Positive Results: Teachers have observed increased focus and engagement, with potential improvements in reading skills.
FAQ:
Q: Isn’t screen time generally bad for children?
A: Excessive, passive screen time can be detrimental.Though, this program utilizes screen time in a specific, active way designed to improve a visual skill crucial for reading.
Q: What is convergence and why is it important?
A: Convergence is the ability of the eyes to turn inward to focus on a nearby object. It’s essential for reading and other close-up tasks. Difficulty with convergence can lead to eye strain, headaches, and reading difficulties.
Q: Is this program widely available?
A: Currently, it’s being used at Hästens school and is a product of IMVI Labs, developed with Karolinska Institute researchers. Wider availability would depend on further research and adoption by other schools.