AR and VR in education are changing the way kids learn. Now, kids don’t have to wait for another school year to come around before they can experience new things. They can now use AR or VR technology at home with their parents’ help, which is an excellent option for homeschoolers!
It’s no secret that kids these days love their screens. Whether they’re on a computer, phone, or watching TV, the average kid today spends about 7 hours per day staring at some screen.
We’re not trying to be dramatic here, but we as parents and educators must understand how this affects our children’s development and what we can do about it.
That is where AR VR comes in handy! The research has shown that with virtual reality headsets such as Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR, students can learn better than ever before because they are immersed in an environment that simultaneously stimulates all of their senses (sight, listening, etc.).
Kids can’t resist the allure of AR and VR. So naturally, they want to learn everything they can about these new technologies.
These immersive experiences engage students and help them retain more information because their brains absorb data through various senses, including sight, sound, and touch!
How are Kids Learning Better with AR & VR Apps for Education?
VR is a life-changing technology that’s changing the world of education. It offers immersive learning for students, allowing them to explore 3D models and watch videos to understand how different things work or what it would be like if they were there themselves.
It’s hard to learn about engineering and science without being able to see what you’re learning.
That is why we have VR for structural engineering students to watch a full-scale rendering of the Eiffel Tower that helps them understand the mechanism and other technical stuff.
Google has been quick to jump into VR education with their Google Expeditions – a version of virtual field trips available for teachers and students who want an immersive experience on topics like Giza’s pyramids or even putting asteroids right in classrooms!
In her role as CEO at Miami Children’s Health System, Doctor Kini has found that VR is an incredible tool for training medical students. For example, in comparison to PowerPoints and other traditional teaching methods such as textbooks or lectures – when it comes right down to practice, there are only 20% retention rates one week later!
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It means students forget 80% of lessons by the time they take the first exam. But with virtual reality (VR), Dr. Narendra says she raised this number near 100%.
Innovations like mixed reality can help us learn more efficiently because instead of just listening on one side while reading off screens; we get immersed into what’s happening around us through audio cues combined
By incorporating VR in her medical training, Kini found that up to 80% of students had a higher retention rate than before. That’s 400% more successful!
Students no longer need to rely on their imagination when they read about events long ago; now, all these critical moments can come alive thanks to AR technology at school.
One significant advantage of augmented reality (AR) within education is that students don’t need to imagine various topics covered during textbook study sessions.
When students bring their smartphones out, they can use augmented reality and see what is in front of them as if it were real.
It could be constructive for students who need help remembering information or learning new subjects. It would give more context than just reading about things on paper alone – you are seeing them happen right before your eyes!
And with AR/VR game development becoming so popular among schools these days, teachers have a chance to make lessons both exciting and fun while giving kids something competitive too (who doesn’t love beating someone else at math?).
Resources and Tips for AR & VR Classrooms:
Technology is making our lives better and easier. AR/VR tools should be a part of that progress, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm or leg! There are low-priced viewers like Google Cardboard available for purchase and other affordable options.
Teacher resources for students include affordable or even free apps, such as 360Cities, which allows them to explore different places through Virtual Reality.
Another teaching tool worth mentioning on this list would be the Immersive VR Education platform, where teachers can develop lesson plans using cutting-edge technology without worrying about expensive equipment costs.
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EdTech reports that mixed reality is a powerful tool for education, and it can also be both entertaining and educational.
For example, in March 2019, they cite one study that showed students learning about biology through VR had higher scores than those not using AR or MR at all! And with increased retention levels–9% more so according to Edtech’s recent article on the topic—it would seem this form of immersive teaching has been proven effective.
How can we make the most immersive and engaging educational experiences possible? A few essential tips to help you set up your classroom.
Creating an environment for VR in education is easier than it sounds. Still, some essential details need consideration before implementing this new technology into lessons or teaching methods.
So here’s what teachers should watch when planning how they’ll use virtual reality at school!
Set Up VR Classroom in a Spacious Area:
VR can be a fun and engaging way to learn, but students need to wear the headset and make space in their schools.
An ample physical room is required so that users do not end up spinning around or striding blindly without paying attention to their surroundings, resulting in injury from collisions with other people or objects nearby.
Teachers Must keep VR Use Minimum:
Studies of the psychological impact of VR in school settings tell us about students who overused VR having false memories.
Limiting how often you can use your headset or computer while being observed by an instructor may help prevent these sorts of problems, too. But, of course, teachers should not let them consume all day either and encourage them to give those brain cells some rest.
Use VR as Supplementary Teaching Method:
But virtual reality technology (VR) is not an adequate replacement for human interaction – learning isn’t just about absorbing information but also understanding how that knowledge applies in real-life scenarios.
VR should primarily supplement other methods like lectures or books with information. In addition, students may lack concentration due to either inability (dyslexia), low-attention spans from distractions such as music playing loudly next door.
It can also happen often at home while studying for tests because we’re all guilty of using our smartphones.
Teachers must find out what specific topic interests their pupils because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when incorporating virtual reality into classrooms.
Develop a Plan for VR Learning :
If you’re looking for ways to make your lesson more captivating, virtual reality is an excellent way of sparking student interest.
However, left up to the students may wander off-topic and get distracted easily, so it’s essential as an educator to use this medium in conjunction with other methods such as developing goals/expectations that will optimize learning experiences and ensure the best outcomes.
Build Cultural Competence in Students:
Have you ever been to an old, forgotten temple that’s lost its appeal? VR and AR are remarkable technologies for transporting people into new places throughout our world with little effort on your part!
You might think a trip to Ireland or China would feel like just another vacation–but these virtual reality apps will allow for more profound insight than any tourist could offer.
It is because they stimulate all five senses by letting students see what it feels like inside someone else’s head-think about how incredible this is when we want our kids to understand other cultures better:
They get exposed early enough, so no one has preconceived notions based on ignorance.
These new perspectives can result in fostering empathy and cultural competence because they take students outside of their average daily experience, or as one teacher put it: “I can see what life might be like from another person’s perspective.”
In addition, the use of virtual reality (VR) applications allows teachers less time than ever before, so they are learning about other cultures and teaching languages too!
AR & VR is the Future of Education:
AR and VR in education is an exciting innovation that could considerably impact children’s learning. Moreover, it’s not just for schools anymore. Parents can also use it at home, making homeschooling even more accessible to families who may otherwise struggle!
Whether you’re looking for a new way to get your kids interested in school or want them to be more social and less isolated at home, VR and AR technology can provide the answer.
We’ve seen firsthand how this type of immersive learning experience has helped children who struggle with their studies make better progress.
