Using the Augmented/Virtual Reality Technologies to Improve the Health-preserving Competence of a Physical Education Teacher

Abstract

The article deals with the results of the research aimed at the improvement of methodology of use of augmented reality for the development of health-preserving competence of a Physical Education teacher under conditions of post-graduate education. From the point of Umwelt phenomenology, augmented reality is characterized by correspondence to human nature, its cognitive, metaphoric, diverse, interactive, anthropomorphic nature. The article analyzes the vectors of using augmented reality in the professional activity of a Physical Education teacher, particularly the one that is aimed at health preservation. The software that may be used with this purpose has been described. The positive attitude of Physical Education teachers to the use of the augmented/virtual reality for preserving students’ health and development of their motion skills, intellect and creativity was determined in the research. The results of the survey show that the majority of teachers positively react to the idea of using augmented reality in their professional activity. However, in some cases, not a fully formed understanding of this issue was observed. The ways of solving the stated problem could be the inclusion of augmented technologies’ techniques into the process of post-graduate education, taking into consideration the anthropological, ethical, cultural contexts as well as teacher involvement in the stated process. Based on the use of augmented/virtual reality technologies, the software application “Virtual Model of Identifying the Risks for Locomotor Apparatus Caused by Ligament Stretching”, has been developed, which consists of 5 models. Namely, the virtual models of joints used in order to shape a teacher’s understanding of the risks for the locomotor apparatus, which are represented as an anthropological-spatial system. As a result of research of efficiency of application of virtual models as a part of a methodology of development of the health-preserving competence of the Physical Education teachers the positive dynamics of educational results of the Physical Education teachers is defined.