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- All Subjects: Video Games
- All Subjects: Music
- Member of: Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
- Member of: Theses and Dissertations
simulated computer-generated environment. These environments are accurately simulated in that they provide the appearance of- and allow users to interact with- the simulated environment. Using head-mounted displays, controllers, and auditory feedback, virtual reality provides a convincing simulation of interactable virtual worlds (Wikipedia, “Virtual reality”). The many worlds of virtual reality are often expansive, colorful, and detailed. However, there is one great flaw among them- an emotion evoked in many users through the exploration of such worlds-loneliness.
The content in these worlds is impressive, immersive, and entertaining. Without other people to share in these experiences, however, one can find themselves lonely. Users discover a feeling that no matter how many objects and colors surround them in countless virtual worlds, every world feels empty. As humans are social beings by nature, they feel lost without a sense of human connection and human interaction. Multiplayer experiences offer this missing element into the immersion of virtual reality worlds. Multiplayer offers users the opportunity to interact with other live people in a virtual simulation, which creates lasting memories and deeper, more meaningful immersion.
One obstacle which children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) face when learning in a public-school environment is the lack of feeling included when learning. In this study, the term inclusion refers to time that children with ASDs spend in general education settings, interacting and/or engaging with neurotypical students and teachers. Inclusion can help students with ASDs improve their social skills, as well as academic achievement, mental health, and future success (Camargo et al., 2014). Since children with ASDs often have difficulties with social interaction skills, this can prevent their successful inclusion in general education placements. Music is a type of behaviorally-based intervention, which has proven to be effective in helping students develop the skills necessary to be successfully included, and because it is a type of activity which can serve as a bit of a distraction from the social aspect of the interaction, it can help children practice social skills and interact in a comfortable way. This study examines how music is used in public school settings to help foster the skills necessary for autistic children to be involved in standard school curriculums in order to allow them to receive the full benefits from learning in a general education setting. This study was conducted by reviewing past literature on the benefits of inclusion in special education, the benefits of music for children with ASDs, and the difference in efficacy of music interventions when conducted in an inclusive setting. Interviews with special education teachers, music educators, and music therapists were also conducted to address examples of the impact of music in this research area. The study found that music is beneficial in allowing more students to be included in standard school curriculums, and data showed the trend that inclusion positively affected their social and academic development.