Virtual reality
ramifications in the educational sector are a reason for all the attention it’s
receiving. In addition to online learning, students will be transported to
another programmed world through the use of feedback headsets, tactile gloves
and motion sensors. It will become a supplement to traditional methods. Virtual
reality in education promises to deliver the best aspects of both real
classrooms and online platforms. It sounds all correct, but we have evidences
that past innovations, although really amazing, failed to substantially change
education: cinema, computers, tablets and apps, online and distance learning. A
movie is able to immerse the audience in another world, but our schools mainly
use movies when it comes to teach a foreign language. Ironically a language is
mainly about ‘listening’, a movie is about ‘watching’. Yes, but computers, labs
and interactive whiteboards changed dramatically the scenario. And now that
tablets and apps kicked in, the revolution is completed. Unfortunately, this is
false. In 2015, OECD examined the impact of school technology on international
test results, in 70 countries, and made two “incredible” discoveries: (a) the
world is still unplugged and (b) students who use computers very frequently at
school get worse results.
So, why virtual
reality is enough to learn better? The first comment is really about learning
through experience. The pedagogies of constructivism and game-based learning
show that children learn best by doing or by being. Using state of the art
graphics, which are comparable to video games, virtual reality can educate as
well as entertain students through uniquely realistic recreation of a time
period that no longer exists or locations that are difficult to reach. Game
based education is another relevant topic. It’s more fun and engaging. Bringing
a video game-like experience to students and presenting material in a more
engaging way, will help get a new generation of students get excited about
topics they think are boring. Virtual reality headsets already allow students
to move planets, see around stars and track the progress of a comet. This also
enables them to see how abstract concepts work in a three dimensional
environment which makes them easier to understand and retain. 3D interaction
with objects can help students to understand difficult theoretical concepts
through applications that would visually represent those topics. Since VR is a
computer simulation of a natural environment, interaction with a 3D model is
more natural than browsing through 2D webpages looking for information. Also,
the fact virtual reality in education is interactive brings with it
collaboration. The collaborative aspect of learning is crucial. In fact,
immersion, imagination and interaction, are the three fundamental features of
virtual reality.
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