As educators, we always look for new and innovative ways to engage our students. And we’re always looking for technology that can help us do that. So, what does the future hold for schools?
How will virtual reality impact how we teach and learn? In this blog post, We’ll explore some of the ways virtual reality is starting to make its way into classrooms worldwide. I’ll also discuss some of the benefits of using virtual reality in education and offer some tips on how you can get started. Stay tuned!
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual reality is an interactive computer-generated experience taking place within a simulated environment. It incorporates auditory and visual feedback, and more recently, haptic feedback, to create an immersive virtual environment that can be used to simulate physical presence in places ranging from realistic to imaginary.
Virtual reality is being used in various applications, including entertainment, education, the military, and medicine. In its simplest form, teachers can use virtual reality to create immersive gaming experiences.
There are more complex virtual reality systems for training and simulation, such as in the military and healthcare fields. Virtual reality has also been used to create social environments or virtual worlds. Second Life is one example of a virtual world that has been created using virtual reality technology. People can buy and customize their avatars and chat with people all over the world, similar to programs in the Metaverse and VR Chat programs.
How do Schools use Virtual Reality for Education?
Virtual reality is increasingly being used in schools to enhance education. There are many ways in which virtual reality can be used in the classroom, from virtual field trips to simulations of historical events.
Virtual field trips are programs teachers can use to take students to different locations to view various landmarks. They can also view other places in time to give students a visual representation of how people lived during that period.
Teachers can also use virtual reality to teach complex concepts like anatomy or physics. For example, by immersing students in a virtual environment and students can easily understand and retain information. Additionally, teachers can use virtual reality to create safe environments for students to experiment with dangerous concepts without risk.
For example, students will be able to check out volcano sites and experience eruptions as they happen, and view the effects on the environment. Students can also view how radiation affects the environment in places like Chornobyl, where they can view visual diagrams of the explosion sites without being harmed. As virtual reality technology continues to develop, its use in education is likely to increase.
Will Virtual Reality Replace Traditional Education?
While virtual reality has the potential to be used in a classroom setting, traditional classroom settings are still popular and consistent means of teaching students. However, teachers can use virtual reality in conjunction with conventional methods. First, virtual reality can provide a more immersive learning experience than simply reading texts or watching videos.
So, when teachers need a break from the everyday learning experience or want to show something important to students, They can bring out virtual reality platforms that help enrich the experience for students.
Second, virtual reality can be tailored to the individual learner, providing a more personalized learning experience. Students can make their avatars and return to periods they might be interested in. Also, students can receive one-on-one lessons with teachers and have a more impactful experience even if they aren’t in the primary classroom.
Finally, teachers can use virtual reality to simulate real-world scenarios, allowing students to learn in a safe and controlled environment. Factories, deserts, oceans, jungles, caves, mountains, and more can be explored in a secure environment and satisfy children’s auditory and visual learning needs.
Tactile functions still need to be implemented by the teacher, but hopefully there will be more options in these programs in the future. While virtual reality is not yet able to completely replace traditional education, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we learn.
How can Schools Afford Virtual Reality Technology?
The use of virtual reality technology in schools is becoming more widespread as the technology becomes more affordable. However, schools still need to find ways to afford virtual reality technology.
One way to do this is to fundraise. Many organizations offer grants for virtual reality technology. Companies like Microsoft and Google work with schools constantly to provide learning grants and donations to students.
Another way to afford virtual reality technology is to use it in a pay-per-use model; This means that students or parents would pay to use the virtual reality technology when needed. For example, teachers can give these headsets out individually or through a subscription service. The downside to using this service model is obviously, not every family would be able to afford this service.
Either way, this would help offset the cost of virtual reality technology for schools. Finally, schools could also partner with businesses that use virtual reality technology. For example, they can start the process during sports events or any high trafficking event in the city to build more relationships. Having companies supply the technology would give students exposure to the virtual reality technology and help fund the purchase of virtual reality headsets for the school.
How Can Student Hires Assist Schools?
Student Hires offers workshops and courses every month to teach different skills for example, how to manage students with behavioral problems or create successful after school programs. We also work with schools to help them develop expanded learning and after school programs. Want to learn more about our upcoming workshops? Check out our monthly calendar.
Conclusion
Virtual reality can become an important component for schools around the world. For example, it allows students to visit places they usually wouldn’t be able to and research the culture. However, when virtual reality grows and receives more support in the next few years, students might be able to start feeling and smelling the environment. So what places would you like to visit in virtual reality? Let us know in the comments below.
references:
- Panospin360, “What is a virtual tour? 6 reasons why you should have one.”
- The Verge, “Second Life’s strange second life.”