VR IN THE CLASSROOM
The ongoing technological revolution has led to the emergence of the particularly lucrative VR gaming market. Other areas were also quick to appreciate its potential and are now beginning to use VR technology for purposes that go beyond entertainment. With its help, surgeons can simulate a particularly complicated operation or incorporate it within some rehabilitation therapy.
In this article, we’ll be analyzing 5 ways in which virtual reality can be used for educational purposes.
Distance Learning
Homeschooling is a topic that has been discussed quite extensively lately. Just how important is the teacher’s role in the education of an individual student? It’s not easily measurable. Suffice it to say that public schools are often criticized for their methods and lack of interest on the part of instructors for the individual needs of students.
Introduction of a VR headset in the classroom could make distance learning a logical choice not only for physically disabled students but also for learners from remote corners of the world.
A virtual classroom can accommodate thousands of students who can get taught by some of the brightest minds on the planet. Those who want to become professional writers will be able to learn from the authors of best-sellers. Or, if someone wants to be an astronaut, why not visit a virtual lecture by a NASA expert?
Unique Learning Experience
Needless to say, in-person experiences tend to leave greater impressions on our minds than anything we read in a book (that goes for school textbooks, history books, or even novels). Virtual reality may be the key to bridging this experience gap. Imagine being able to enter the classroom and visit ancient Rome, Napoleon’s Paris, or even the International Space Station (ISS). Virtual reality can make what we read in books, or listen to in lectures come alive. A professor could actually walk you through events while they’re happening right in front of you.
Taking a Virtual Tour of Universities
Visiting a university isn’t only about taking a tour of the classrooms, dormitories or various departments on campus.
Thanks to virtual reality, students from all over the world can get an idea of what the teaching/learning process is like on the other side of the globe. By entering classrooms in VR, they will be able to make a more informed choice of an educational institution.
Students who can’t afford the travel cost to visit a prospective university will still have the opportunity to check out campuses, but from the comfort of their home.
Virtual Revolution
The advent of virtual reality will lead to the emergence of new possibilities in the workplace. Thanks to VR, professionals all over the globe will be able to keep up with modern technology.
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Architects will be able to present projects to customers more impressively.
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Doctors will be able to simulate surgical operations before actually performing them.
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Tourist guides will be able to give you a preview tour of your destination even before you go there in person.
And there will always be a need for someone who can design software that will make all these new experiences incredibly real.
Training
For some professions, theoretical learning is not enough. Plane pilots, surgeons, police officers, and military personnel could benefit from particularly realistic and effective simulators.
Virtual reality could add a further level of immersion and realism typical of these occupations.
Final Thoughts
All of these are great examples of how Virtual reality is more than just a gamers fad, it’s revolutionizing how we perform surgery, teach in and out of the classroom, build buildings and train cops. VR seems like it’s here to stay and will continue to become a huge part of our ever increasing technologically focused human civilization.
If you liked this article, check out G2 Crowd‘s article on “The simple difference between AR vs VR“.
What are your thoughts on the matter. Do you think VR is here to stay? Have you had a chance to game with it, or have you seen it used for educational purposes yet? Let us know in the comment section below.
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