Virtual Reality in Education: Explore the Benefits, Tools, and Resources

Technology in education has grown manyfold over the last few years. An exciting development in this regard is virtual reality in education. These can transform the orthodox conception of classrooms, hence offering immersive and practical learning for a student much beyond the textbooks. 

These may be regarding science and history, or even art. Virtual Reality in Education enables teachers to cover exactly the same topics in a far more interesting and interactive manner. This blog post tries to show the whys and benefits of Virtual Reality in Education, the tools that could make it possible, and how schools or institutions can access the best resources available.

What is Virtual Reality in Education?

Before continuing with the benefits, let me define what virtual reality in education even means. In other words, it is the mode of teaching the students through virtual sets of environments and scenarios. Rather than staring at some flat screen or text in a book, students can simply wear VR headsets and jump inside a 3D interactive world. 

Advantages of Virtual Reality in Education

1. Immersive Learning

The main advantage of virtual reality in education is that it offers students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the subject at hand. Instead of passively reading about ancient civilizations, the students would get to virtually walk through the pyramids of Egypt or the streets of ancient Rome right from their classrooms. That in itself would make the whole experience so much more interactive and memorable.

For example, a student of biology in the virtual reality classroom would already be inside a human cell. It is much easier to understand and remember complicated processes visualized in 3D. A student understands and remembers more the more he works with the material.

2. Virtual Simulations

With Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering studies, learners can try various experiments in the field virtually in a very well-guarded and controlled environment. Virtual Reality in Education allows students to make complex or dangerous experiments that have absolutely no risks in the real world. They can change variables, test hypotheses, and see immediate results.

3. Access

Another significant value addition of Virtual Reality in Education is that this also levels the playing field. Not every school is able to provide special lab facilities or facilitate the creation of field trips, and VR helps every school create superior learning opportunities.

Poorly financed school districts can offer equal opportunities to their more economically endowed neighbors. A student in a rural town may never in his or her lifetime be physically exposed to a major art museum; through a virtual reality classroom. They can now tour the Louvre or the Smithsonian.

4. Inspirational and Motivating

Motivation and participation of the students increase because AR and VR in Education is more interactive. It is fun to get into a virtual world, and they can even understand how 3D objects work and solve practical problems in an amusing manner.

The research shows that students trained via virtual environments are more interested in subjects. Participation is higher, and information is retained for a longer period. This will be especially useful for traditionally hard subjects to learn, such as mathematics or science.

Tools and Resources: Tapping into Virtual Reality to Learn

Having outlined some of the advantages, the following sections introduce some of the tools and resources that make virtual reality in education possible.

1. Google Expeditions

Google Expeditions is one of the pioneering tools in the art of bringing AR and VR in education. Teachers can now take students through the technology art of being at the right place at the right time. They can avail themselves of more than 900 virtual tours in great detail, ranging from the deep ocean to the International Space Station.

2. zSpace

Another powerful tool for virtual reality classroom environments is zSpace. The device merges virtual and augmented realities to let one interact in 3D while working through learning scenarios. Examples of activities done in this environment could be the virtual dissection of a frog, building a circuit, or exploring human anatomy.

3. CoSpaces Edu

CoSpaces Edu is one of the best platforms for Virtual Reality in Education. It allows teachers and students to build their own relevant 3D spaces. Users can add elements, characters, or even code interactions.

That would be great for engaging students in some creative projects and allowing them to develop their critical thinking skills.

Conclusion 

Enhancing learning, Virtual Reality in Education, or AR and VR in Education is finding its place in the classroom. They allow students and instructors to have an immersive and engaging experience that makes it quite accessible. From simulations that allow active practice to personalized learning, it allows new ways of teaching the trickiest concepts.

Apart from cost and training, virtual reality in education is irreplaceable. Limina Studios offers special services for VR enabling institutions in their effort to let their students enjoy VR experiences. Be it a virtual classroom or some special content, Limina Studios helps lead the change in education.