Into the Trenches: Using Virtual Reality to Teach World War I

This presentation will discuss how Virtual Reality can deepen student understanding of the everyday experience in the trenches during WWI. Instead of relying on lecture alone, the lesson combines an immersive VR experience, accompanied with the examination of primary sources, and material culture to make history more concrete for students.

Students rotate through three stations: a guided VR trench simulation, an analysis of soldiers’ letters from the trenches, and a mini “museum” station featuring a WWI uniform, helmet, and gas mask. At each station, students gather historical evidence and observations. The final product is a letter written from the perspective of a WWI soldier in the trenches. Students are assessed on including at least three accurate historical details supported by their notes, demonstrating a clear understanding of trench conditions, and using evidence effectively in their writing. This presentation will outline the station design, the step-by-step scaffolding used to support student learning, and the assessment methods, presenting a practical model for integrating VR into history classrooms while maintaining a strong emphasis on historical thinking and writing skills. It will also present some cost-effective alternatives to Virtual Reality, such as interactive 360° videos or guided visual simulations to make the lesson adaptable for classrooms with varying access to technology.