Get latest insights on immersive learning trends

Virtual reality technology is on the rise and offers several advantages in many sectors, including education. Educators have started to realize the potential of VR and are adopting VR in their schools. In fact, global spending for virtual reality in the education market is projected to reach $13,098 million by 2026 from $657 million in 2018, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.9%. In this blog, we will explore the advantages of utilizing virtual reality technology in the teaching process.

In the digital age, information is more accessible than ever before. With downloadable e-books and search engines, learning can be made easier with just a few clicks. However, the prevailing teaching methods tend to dump a lot of information on students in a short period of time, which can cause students to feel disengaged and frustrated.

Here is where virtual reality technology can help. An immersive learning environment can help students fully understand concepts easier. VR teaching can enhance the educational experience by immersing the students in engaging simulations, resulting in improved retention rates.

VR teaching brings learners closer to reality and bridges the gap between the virtual and the real world. Here are some benefits of adopting virtual reality in your teaching techniques.

Virtual reality offers powerful 3D visuals, empowers students to explore different realities, and challenges their perception. It is challenging within a conventional classroom setting to present 3D images and models. It is a proven fact our brains process images faster than text, and pictures help us better comprehend information. VR teaching facilitates visual learning that helps students understand complex concepts quicker and easier.

In conventional education, students focus on understanding concepts by reading rather than experiencing. Virtual reality enables students to "learn by doing" rather than "learn by reading."

By "doing" students gain a greater understanding and retain information for a longer period. VR teaching supports a practical learning method and presents a safe platform for students to practice. VR eliminates the risks involved in traditional training methods and gives learners a safe environment to practice and learn from their mistakes without worrying about the consequences.

For instance, immersive technologies can be of great help in the healthcare sector. Even non-medical students can efficiently learn life-saving techniques like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, with VR and perform timely first aid actions to save lives.

Hearing the words "I'm bored" during the lesson is not a pleasant experience for any teacher. The attention span of Gen-Z kids appears to be diminishing by the day; therefore, educators are facing a greater challenge keeping students actively engaged throughout the entire lecture.

Not to worry; with virtual reality teaching, educators can take student engagement to the next level. Kids today are more familiar and comfortable with technology, being raised in a tech-heavy world, so they will embrace leading-edge technologies like virtual reality in the classroom. Students will be more immersed in a VR-powered classroom compared to a conventional classroom.

VR introduces interactive gaming elements in the learning process. The gamified experience presents students with an opportunity to try new things, fail, and learn from their mistakes. Introducing challenges and reward points in the curriculum motivates children to be more actively involved in classroom activities. An element of competition and the opportunity to be the first to complete a challenge can make education more appealing.

Virtual reality technology can create engaging simulations and provide an opportunity to explore a realistic virtual world, which should spark creativity in young minds.

Let's face it, irrespective of age, students tend to prefer watching compared to reading something. Who would not want to 'travel' to the moon, go back in time to see dinosaurs, or explore the human brain in three dimensions? Experiencing these immersive scenarios can instill curiosity in learners and help them develop disruptive thinking to build better solutions that could potentially change the course of the future for the better.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions are moving towards online, distance learning. But distance learning can be dull and lack elements to keep learners engaged. Virtual reality can help teachers and students collaborate with digital avatars, virtual encounters and provides an authentic, exciting classroom experience.

A significant roadblock in overseas education is the language barrier. Students who desire to study in a different country typically need to understand and speak the local language. This may present a major challenge for some students and be the deciding factor against pursuing overseas education. However, VR-based teaching can eliminate the language barrier as multiple languages can be available in the software.

The above-stated advantages are just a drop in the bucket. VR in education has endless possibilities and can inspire people to innovate and create better solutions to forge a brighter future. Virtual reality for teaching, without a doubt, will transform the knowledge transfer experience. So, tap into the potential of VR to offer a better educational experience.

Wish to reinvent teaching and learning methods with virtual reality? XR Guru is an immersive learning hub that enables educators to create unique course content, track student progress, and increase student engagement. With access to an ever-growing content library and tools to teach complex subjects, XR Guru is your best option to make education interesting, fun, and immersive.