The education sector, from pre-school through to postgraduate education, has been adopting all the emerging technologies that have come to the fore over the years in the search for new ideas that might prove fruitful when combined with current teaching methods.
From the installation of projectors, through the installation of smart screens, to the widespread use of computers, technology has brought about a radical change in teaching and learning in schools.
For its part, Virtual reality seems set to be the next driver of change which is set to revolutionise education and the teaching resources available. It is predicted that virtual reality in the classroom will help teachers create innovative, immersive and interactive learning experiences that visually engage pupils.
What is virtual reality?
Virtual reality It is a technology that allows a person to be immersed in a computer-generated simulated environment. By using devices such as virtual reality glasses or headsets, users can experience the sensation of being inside an interactive, three-dimensional virtual world.
The virtual reality experience is achieved through a combination of images and graphics, immersive sound and, in some cases, even haptic feedback. By using motion-tracking devices, virtual reality can also adapt to the user’s movements, allowing them to explore and manipulate objects within the virtual environment.
Virtual reality can bring numerous benefits to the education sector, transforming the way students learn and teachers teach. Whilst some teachers have already incorporated virtual reality into their lessons, its use has not yet become standard practice for a number of reasons.
The first is that Virtual reality is a technological innovation that is currently undergoing rapid development and it has not yet become widespread, which means that incorporating it into teaching methods is not so straightforward. The second reason is that there is a minority of teachers who are more reluctant to embrace change and digitalisation, and so they show no interest in making use of these new developments.
How is virtual reality used in schools?
As we have said, virtual reality is not standard practice in all schools. However, many teachers have already decided to experiment with it to see how virtual reality might work best in their subjects. Virtual reality can therefore be applied in various ways in the field of education:
Practical simulations
Schools can use virtual reality so that pupils can develop skills by putting what they have learnt into practice in virtual environments. These simulations provide a much more immersive and realistic learning experience compared to more traditional educational resources, which are limited to reading specialist books or watching videos.
Apart from the educational benefits of enabling students to gain valuable first-hand practical experience that will stand them in good stead in the job market, virtual reality simulations completely eliminate the physical harm associated with professional practice.
Here are some practical examples of how virtual reality simulations are currently being used in education:
A perfect example of the application of virtual reality simulations can be seen in the medical simulations. Through these, medical students can practise medical procedures in realistic virtual environments, such as surgical procedures, diagnostic tests or emergency care. This enables them to develop practical skills and make decisions in a safe environment.
We can cite another relevant example from the natural sciences. Instead of using real equipment and chemicals, pupils can carry out experiments and practical sessions in virtual laboratories. This is particularly useful in subjects such as chemistry, physics and biology, where complex reactions and phenomena can be simulated. Furthermore, there is no need to worry about any physical harm resulting from accidentally mixing the wrong substances, as the entire educational experience takes place in the digital realm.
Distance learning
There are educational institutions – particularly those with a long-standing tradition of providing distance learning – that are also making use of virtual reality technologies to breathe a little life into their online classes. Whether it is the standard format of the educational programme, or whether remote lessons are necessary due to physical barriers and external circumstances, virtual reality is an excellent alternative for delivering educational content in the most realistic way possible.
In this way, virtual reality differs from the typical two-dimensional video calls on Google Meet or Zoom by offering a three-dimensional virtual space in which teachers and pupils can move around and interact with their surroundings, creating a much more immersive and engaging learning experience for the student.
Gamification
Virtual reality offers many ways to make lesson content more engaging and to produce unique, fun experiences through activities that engage the pupil effectively. Although virtual reality gamification still has some way to go before it can be fully integrated into schools, we can give you a perfect example of how to gamify the delivery of a specific piece of educational content by making the most of the capabilities of virtual reality.
Let’s suppose that in a science lesson, the pupils are learning about the solar system and the planets. To make the lesson more engaging, the teacher uses virtual reality to transport the pupils to a virtual space environment. Each student puts on a pair of virtual reality glasses and finds themselves in space, floating near a spaceship.
The aim of the game is to explore the solar system and gather information about each planet. Pupils are given a list of missions to complete, such as finding data on the size, distance from the Sun, atmospheric composition and unique characteristics of each planet. As they progress through the missions and gather information, they earn points and unlock virtual rewards, such as medals or badges.
What are the benefits of virtual reality in education?
It is clear that virtual reality can only enhance existing interactive digital resources and improve the current state of distance learning. Innovation always brings benefits in terms of productivity and the quality of work processes, and education is no exception.
We can therefore summarise the benefits of using virtual reality in education in five points:
- It engages the pupil more: Virtual reality immerses students in virtual environments that can be difficult or costly to replicate in real life. This enhances their understanding of the subject matter by allowing them to explore, interact with and experience situations in a more realistic way.
- It facilitates safe professional practice: Virtual reality enables students to practise skills in a simulated environment, without the risks or costs associated with making the transition from theory to practice.
- It’s more entertaining and motivating: Gamification using virtual reality makes learning more entertaining and competitive, as students feel more motivated when taking part in challenges, unlocking achievements and receiving virtual rewards.
- It is accessible: Virtual reality enables students to access places and educational experiences all over the world without having to travel there in person.
- It encourages teamwork: Virtual reality facilitates collaboration between students by enabling them to interact and work together in shared virtual environments.
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