How virtual reality can be the future of education?
A major way virtual reality will prove to be an advantage in the education sector is making field trips more accessible and cost-effective
Teaching and learning have gone beyond the
norms of reading from a book and understanding. With the rapid development of
technology, students are able to better visualise and understand concepts at a
much profound level.
For example, technologies such as virtual
reality allows students to experience the pyramids of Egypt through virtual
reality headsets, from their classrooms. We have gone beyond the era of using
real-world examples to help students and/or trainees connect to the theory of
lessons in text books. Virtual reality, augmented reality and their variations
represent computer interface techniques that take into account the
three-dimensional space.
Virtual reality will transform the textbook
into a real-world scenario, and exponentially speed up the learning process
with proper implementation of 3D immersion and virtual reality technology in
hundreds of classrooms across educationally progressive schools and learning
labs throughout the country.
One may wonder why this technology trend will
work in education, when we already have a vast amount of technology to help
students. The current generation is adapting quickly to the technologically
evolving world. They are engrossed in every form of education, and this works
as an advantage when it comes to implementing advanced technologies such as
virtual reality in education. It is bound to hold the attention of a student as
she travels through a three-dimensional landscape on an exploratory route. This
concept caters perfectly to the millennial group/youth, setting a scene similar
to a movie in which the student is playing the protagonist. This is more likely
to keep the student more involved, in comparison to sitting idly at the back of
a classroom.
Furthermore, visualisation of subjects which
are not in existence in today’s reality presents a challenge for the students.
Virtual reality makes this experiential learning possible through the creation
of these non-existent environments. For example, if you are a history teacher,
virtual reality will give you the opportunity to explore a historic building or
visit a time period such as the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappa,
Mohenjo-daro).
Students will be able to explore various
aspects, often by using head-mounted display (HMD) and data gloves—for
interaction in a virtual environment.
Keeping the students more engaged through
visualisation is one of the proven methods of learning in young children.
Another major way virtual reality will prove
to be an advantage in the education sector is making field trips more
accessible and cost-effective. It will help transcend distance, allowing the
virtual presence of students in classes without having to physically visit a
place. This also enables large groups of students to interact with each other,
as well as within a three-dimensional environment—all in the confinement of
their classrooms. This will specifically prove to be beneficial for students
from remote areas in the country, as they will be able to conduct experiments
or be part of high-end labs without having to travel distances.
The unique ability of virtual reality is that
it is able to present complex data in an accessible way to students, which is
both fun and easy to learn. This can be applied to a wide variety of subjects,
ranging from astronomy to human anatomy. The student and the teacher can be
present in the same virtual environment, while performing their practical
experiments, and errors can be corrected in real-time. This process is highly beneficial
in the medical and engineering sector, where complex training can now be
imparted more accurately, which otherwise took years of practice to achieve
perfection.
Education has moved on from books, pencils
and pens, to the use of interactive technologies to help impart knowledge and
understanding. While it can be largely applied to schools and colleges, virtual
reality can be taken a step ahead and can also be adapted for training
purposes. For example, L’Oreal recently launched virtual reality hair education
for salon stylists. This only goes to show the positive impact that virtual
reality has on learning processes and education.
India will benefit largely from the
implementation of virtual reality, considering we face a large challenge in
providing the right infrastructure and opportunity to students across the
country. Virtual reality can help bridge this divide through the practical
world of learning.
The Google Expeditions Pioneer Program launched in 2015 has
already allowed over 1 million students from 11 countries to explore virtual
worlds using Google Cardboard. India is not far off from establishing the same,
with global companies like Tata Elxsi, which set up the first virtual reality/visualisation
facility in early 2000 and has worked on developing virtual-reality-based
immersive content for the education, retail and marketing areas.
This sort of experience, going in hand with
growing start-up companies in the sector, can help develop the future of
education in India, through virtual reality.
While we are entering the year 2017, it is
only safe to assume that we will see the deployment of technologies such as
virtual reality and augmented reality in the education sector, and India is not
far off from connecting children across the country to the world—giving them
exposure and educational value that is beyond the high standards that we
already have. It is only about time that we are the frontrunners in the realm
of technology and education. Virtual reality is where the future of ed-tech
stands, and India is not far off from implementing and being the frontrunner of
this.
The author is Indraneel Guha, business
manager, Visual Content Creation, Tata Elxsi
Source | Financial Express | 5 December 2016
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior
Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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