To make students aware of the benefits and dangers in electronic technology, especially virtual reality.

OVERVIEW

LEADER PREPARATION

• If you have staff members or volunteers, brief them on your plans in advance.
• Have someone prepare snacks for the group discussion. (optional)
• Make sure that the meeting room is well organized and clean.
• All equipment—overhead projectors, transparencies, chalkboard, chalk, musical instruments, and sound systems—should be prepared for use.

GROUP BUILDING

If your youth group enjoys singing, have a short time (10 minutes) of singing fun songs together. Remember that soon you will be having a discussion, so you do not want to let the group get out of control.

After singing (or whatever interactive activity you choose), prepare a small magic show (2 or 3 tricks) to focus the group on the discussion topic. Demonstrate the magic tricks and then explain that magic sometimes is only an illusion or a "trick," and it is not real. Magic tricks can be purchased at magic shops or craft stores. Do not get too elaborate. A few inexpensive items will work.

GROUP PRESENTATION

Introducing a discussion topic is always a little tricky, but with the right material, you can capture kids’ interests fairly easily.

Virtual reality is a topic about which many may not understand. Here are some suggestions on how to familiarize your group on the subject. Select or modify any one(s) that you deem appropriate:

• Set up a TV and VCR and play a segment from the television show "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The particular episode should include scenes of the "Holodeck". (You will need to plan this well out in advance.)
• Set up a TV and VCR and show the kids a rock video or commercial that contains material on virtual reality (there are lots to choose). This can be obtained at a videotape rental store or directly off the TV by recording it onto a videocassette. (Again, you will need to plan this out in advance. You may want to view the video first to see if it is suitable for your particular group.)
• Bring in a home video game system such as "Sega" or "Nintendo" and have some students demonstrate a few different games. (This is not exactly virtual reality, but it is similar enough to work.)
• Get a hold of some 3D posters and 3D glasses. These can be purchased at a teachers’ supply store at minimal cost. If your group is large, you may need several sets. But the cheap paper kind—it still gives decent effects.

Do not spend more than 10 minutes on any one idea to get the group’s attention as much time will be spent on the discussion itself.

GROUP DISCUSSION

The group discussion should be conducted in two parts. One part will take time to discuss the positive aspects of virtual reality. The other segment will approach the negative aspects.

Plan to spend about 20-30 minutes on each part if time permits. Anything shorter may be unproductive while too much time will drag the topic.

The following some questions that you may choose to use to start the first part of the discussion. Make sure that everyone understands the concept of virtual reality.

• What are the positive aspects of virtual reality?
• Virtual reality can make learning more fun. If virtual reality was used in schools, how might we benefit from its use?
• In what other areas of our lives can virtual reality be used? How will it benefit us?
• What things can you think of that would be more productive or more efficient with the use of virtual reality?
• Can virtual reality save lives? If so, how?
• What about virtual reality in church? How could you see it used in that arena?

These questions are general, but they will generation discussion. Be sure to stay away from "yes/no" questions. Keep the discussion focused at all times. After you give your group a short snack and/or a restroom break start the second part of the discussion:

• What negative effects could virtual reality have?
• Do you feel that virtual reality could be misused and abused? How?
• Are there some subjects that should not be taught in virtual reality? If so, what? If not, why not?
• Are technological advances such as virtual reality always "advances?" Give examples.
• Who would govern the use and management of virtual reality if it came into wide use?
• Would we confuse true reality with virtual reality? Would we become dependent on it?

After the second half, break up students into groups and assign them the task of role playing. Tell them they have been chosen to govern the use of virtual reality. Their assignment is to generate some guidelines so virtual reality will not be abused in the future.

WRAP-UP

Gather the group and briefly share each small group’s findings and ideas. Close the group discussion with some particular points that will help them conclude and solidify their feelings and understanding of virtual reality:

• Virtual reality is a technological wonder that promises a whole new way of doing things. We must use it properly and wisely in order to benefit from it.
• Sometimes traditional ways of doing things are much more beneficial than new, advanced ways.

Invite the group to stay for refreshments and expect to spend some time talking with students who have comments and/or questions.

EVALUATION OR FOLLOW-UP

After some time it may be beneficial to bring up virtual reality as an update topic. Search for new articles on virtual reality to update kids on advances and findings. Perhaps taking the group to visit a science museum or corporate headquarters may enhance their understanding of high technology. Check out some local computer or electronics conventions and experience virtual reality machines first-hand. Get together with your staff or volunteer group and evaluate the discussion time and improvements in similar, future sessions.

IMPLICATIONS

1. Youth workers should always be aware of the latest technological advances because young people are so tuned into them. Being knowledgeable about high technology will allow those working with kids to be better equipped to address the influences of the young.
2. Education will be vastly different once virtual education enters the scene. The traditional methods of teaching will be replaced by technologically advanced machines capable of pumping billions of bits of information into our minds each second.
3. Helping professionals will benefit from an understanding of virtual reality because it will one day help them in their own profession.