DLS Virtual Reality
DLS VR provides culturally meaningful environments in which students activate real–world cultural and linguistic knowledge through virtual field trips to target regions.
Currently, VR modules are available in Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Thai.
When participating in DLS VR, here is what to expect:
KEY ELEMENTS OF DLS VR
Culture
DLS VR offers culturally focused, proficiency-based language training in virtual environments to prepare those studying a foreign language to interact in real settings with linguistic fluency and solid understanding of the target culture.
Conversation
Instructor and student converse throughout the virtual environment, as they explore cultural and historical landmarks of the target region, completing tasks along the way. Modules are suitable for students at ILR levels 1 to 3+.
Customization
Instructors adapt to students’ language needs and interests throughout the lesson. Pre-work assignments in the learning management system prepare students for the vocabulary and culture they will encounter in VR, with immediate application in the VR environment, followed by a reflection activity to close out the session.
Our back-end website provides curriculum developers the freedom to capture images, string them together, and embed instructional material overtop. Background audio, signs, videos, and audio for listening comprehension are uniquely incorporated into our modules. Click here for more information.
DLS Virtual Reality
DLS VR provides culturally meaningful environments in which students engage with real-world cultural and linguistic knowledge through virtual field trips to target regions. Instructor and student converse throughout the virtual environment, as they explore cultural and historical landmarks of the target region, completing level-appropriate tasks along the way, and interacting with pedagogical content like audios, videos, and signs. Modules are most suitable for students at ILR levels 1 to 3+, but can be tailored to any level. Pre-work and post-work in the LMS scaffolds learning and encourages reflection.
DLS Virtual Reality Video
LaunchPad Finalist
DLS VR is a finalist in the 2023 LaunchPad competition held by The Language Flagship Technology Innovation Center! This event showcases innovative EdTech solutions transforming world language education. Launchpad will take place during the 2023 Conference of the Computer-Assisted Language Instruction Consortium (CALICO) on June 8, 2023.
Contact
Lia Sauder
Language Project Specialist
Lia joined the DLS team in 2020 as a Language Training Coordinator for the Asian Languages Department, and she now works with the VR team, managing curriculum and pedagogy. Having grown up in China and spent time in Indonesia as an adult, Lia has a love for all things Asian. She has a B.A. in Linguistics and B.A. in Chinese from the University of Maryland, College Park. In her spare time, Lia loves spending time with friends, drinking coffee, and playing piano & guitar, sometimes all at the same time.