Different people have different learning abilities, with some being able to learn better visually. Their ability to see and apply a process is quite impactful. Thus the need for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in education. Both AR and VR can play a critical role in the learning process. The extended reality or XR is likely to help students visualize ideas and concepts to learn vital information and acquire new skills interactively. Read on to learn how immersive technologies can positively impact the learning process.
Creating Immersive and Interactive Experiences
The advancement and immersive nature of VR allows learners to venture far and wide at different times. A perfect example is the 1943 Berlin Blitz by Immersive VR Education for BBC. This particular production recreated some events that happened on September 3, 1943. The experience brings out a vivid story of a bombing mission to Berlin carried out by a Lancaster Bomber.
During this historical event, there was a BBC reporter, Wynford Vaughan Thomas, accompanied by Reg Pidsle (his sound reporter) onboard alongside the regular crew. The unfolding events on that fateful day are created by the VR experience with the help of VR simulations and archive recordings. The creation of immersive and interactive experiences helps students and other learners access past events easily.
A New Kind of Field Trip
School trips are usually expensive for some parents. Even some students can miss out on such educative field events. The availability of VR can make field trips easily accessible to all students. Besides, VR can be an affordable option and more interesting than the actual field trips for students.
Using VR in conjunction with internet search engines like Google eliminates typical barriers that may exclude many learners from attending actual field trips. An example is the Google Expeditions app which is designed for teachers and students to use in class. The app offers numerous adventures with some using AR while others using VR. The app spans the arts, history, natural world, and science. With the use of affordable Google Cardboard Virtual Reality headsets, students can virtually visit different destinations in the comfort of their classrooms.
Transformation of Hands-On Learning
A combination of AR and VR can make practicals in learning easy and manageable. For instance, you don’t have to dissect a frog when you can virtually do it with the help of AR. Currently, an AR app known as Froggupedia enables learners to study the frog’s internal organs.
Students can explore and even dissect the complex internal structure of vital frog organs without necessarily harming the frog. This option also allows students to view the frog’s transformation during each growth phase- from an egg to a fully grown frog.
Enhancement of Workplace Training
AR and VR are the future of workplace training. VR can be helpful in many ways, including simulating dangerous situations that cannot be recreated in real life. Take an example of the FLAIM System associated with an Australian company that has recently been affected by wildfires. Through FLAIM Systems, fire departments in various countries can offer interactive training to their firefighters. This type of training is made possible with the help of VR Technology.
The VR immerses firefighters in different virtual scenarios that seem too dangerous to recreate in reality. These scenarios include airplane fires and wildfires. The tech realistically recreates all elements-fires, water, smoke, heat, and fire-extinguishing foam. The system can even recreate the powerful force that the water hose produces during the fighting process.
Improvement of Lifelong Learning Experience
Both VR and AR can improve your everyday learning experience. This is true with public speaking, thanks to the award-winning VirtualSpeech, which enables scores of people to practice and master the art of public speaking.
The VR provider VirtualSpeech makes it easy to speak to many people or a large audience confidently. Furthermore, this app helps you deliver better pitches, improve your networking skills, and carry out good presentations to various audiences.
Final Thought
Immersive technologies provide corporate training and lifelong learning across many sectors. These technologies make learning more effective, interactive, and engaging. Indeed, AR and VR in education are more relevant for the current tech-driven world. So take advantage of this new technology and make your learning journey an easier one.