This paper presents findings from two action research studies investigating instructional programs that integrated 360° video technology and virtual reality (VR) headsets. The goal was to enhance cognitive flexibility in adolescent students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ultimately improving their ability to use public transportation and navigate supermarket shopping independently. Research demonstrates that ASD students, often struggle with executive functions and cognitive flexibility (Albein-Urios et al., 2018; Bertollo et al., 2019). The instructional programs in these studies recorded the authentic experience environment in 360° technology, including the route to the bus stop and the ride, as well as the neighborhood supermarket where students practiced shopping. The literature suggests VR can provide a safe, adapted learning environment for populations with these specific challenges (Simões et al., 2018; Wang & Anagnostou, 2014). The studies highlighted the importance of a graduated exposure approach - starting with pictures, progressing to video clips, then 360 video clips on an iPad, before introducing VR headsets. Individual observations revealed differences in how students coped with and adapted to the technological interventions. Accordingly, customized programs were developed to foster each student's adaptive flexibility at a level suited to their personal abilities. For instance, it was observed that verbal children adapted to the technology faster than their non-verbal peers. Additional individual differences were also identified. These findings offer valuable insights for educators seeking to leverage technological advancements to assist students with ASD in acquiring various skills in an innovative, safe, and effective manner, thus increasing their independence.

Authors:
Betty Shrieber, Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and Art, Israel
Shira Kadmon, Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and Art, Israel
Keren Hauzer, Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and Art, Israel

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Betty Shrieber is the Head of the M.Ed. program in Educational Technology at Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology, and Art in Tel Aviv, Israel. My area of expertise: Promoting executive function through computational thinking and robots.

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