Virtual Reality in Education: Revolutionizing the Learning Experience
In recent years, advances in virtual reality (VR) technology have enabled fundamentally new educational experiences. In much the same way that the development of the blackboard and later the computer generated a revolution in how we teach and learn, virtual reality has the potential to further revolutionize education. This exciting development can help students achieve a greater understanding of challenging content, explore remote environments, and help teachers create engaging, immersive learning experiences.
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality (VR) technology immerses users in a digitally created 3D environment that they can explore, interact with, and view from all angles. A person wearing a special headset (sometimes called a VR headset) and can look around the environment as though they are actually present, and hand controllers allow them to manipulate and interact with objects.
VR and Education
Educators and technologists have long dreamed of the possibility of bringing an immersive learning experience to students. Virtual reality makes that dream a reality, allowing students to explore and interact with educational content in whole new ways .VR can place students in situations that would otherwise be dangerous or impossible. For example, a medical student in virtual reality could explore a human body or perform medical procedures in a simulated environment. An engineering student could configure, inspect, and explore in 3D a complex engine.
Advantages of VR in Education
VR offers a range of potential advantages for the classroom. Students can experience a greater degree of natural engagement and empathy. By delving into new and unexpected context, they can gain an understanding that goes far beyond what they might encounter in a textbook. Additionally, because VR is interactive, it encourages students to explore and learn in an engaging way.
Augmenting the Classroom
Educators today are working to incorporate virtual reality into everyday classroom instruction. New platforms are being developed to allow content to be accessed remotely, through platforms such as Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR, as well as through room-scale installations like the Oculus Rift. By utilizing virtual reality, educators can transform the classroom and make learning more engaging and effective.
The Future of VR in Education
The ways in which virtual reality can be used to enhance teaching and learning are only beginning to be explored, with new applications and platforms emerging all the time. As more educators and technology companies recognize the potential of virtual reality in the classroom, it is likely to become an increasingly common part of teaching and learning in the future.
