INTRODUCTION

In recent times, we witness many schools which are advancing more in technology and innovation. By the emergence of technology, scholars can develop their efficiency, enhance better learning with advanced practical exposure. They may get wide expertise in subjects and can face real-world problems. We can observe many schools and colleges are stepping forward with more educational technology tools. Every student has a unique way of learning, educational tools provide a great experience in learning. In this article, you can witness more about “Virtual Reality” and its big thing in educational technology. 

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE VIRTUAL REALITY?

With the help of software and a program, an artificial environment is developed. This is said to be virtual reality.  When users start to use virtual reality, they can experience themselves being in a real environment. With the interaction of 3-dimensional experience, users experience a real-world instead of viewing a screen in front of them. 

VIRTUAL REALITY IN EDUCATION SECTOR

As discussed above, in the modern world, we are witnessing more usage of technology in the education system. One such technology used in the education sector is “Virtual Reality”. Virtual reality provides a positive impact on the wellbeing of students. Learning ability and grasping power may vary differently depending upon the student. To make it more interesting and exciting, virtual reality took its step in the education system. It benefits both the tutors and scholars. Check out comprehensive resources guide for VR Developers interested in learning Virtual Reality.

WHY IT  IS CALLED AS A NEXT BIG THING? 

Many of the teachers and the education system rely too much on technology-based teaching. With the advancement of technology and ed-tech tools, students get a world-class education. Ed-tech tools make a big wonder and the next big thing in the educational industry. One such coolest ed-tech tool is VR i.e., Virtual Reality. Virtual reality with the combination of hardware and software provides the student with a great learning experience. Even though the cost of the virtual reality program is high, there is always a great demand for this software. Because of the high demand, the cost of virtual reality may fall in future. Moreover, this technology will offer a fair option for many educational organizations. 

Technological companies such as zSpace, Alchemy VR and Immersive VR Education which are United States companies have already developed educational curriculum and many programs and packages to support schools and educational institutions with the adoption of virtual reality learning method. 

WHO ARE THE NEW INNOVATORS OF THIS TECHNOLOGY? 

Even though virtual reality is not a new technology, virtual reality in education is the new and coolest tool. Using virtual reality technology among the students is quite challenging and exciting one. Two educational institutions in the United States of America adopted virtual reality in the classrooms. These two educational institutions practice Nearpod Virtual Reality with Google Cardboards to enhance the students by taking them to the virtual tour such as the pyramid, great barrier reef and mars.    

POSSIBILITIES OF VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual Reality is an incredible resource for mentoring history and geography. While implementing virtual reality in history classes, students are able to go back to the lost civilization and explore the ancient world. Since virtual reality deals with visualization, students can make their conceptual understanding very strong. Apart from the history subject, virtual reality could also be able to make a very strong conceptual understanding of geography, maths, physics, biology, English and other languages. Addition to that, students who are interested in the subject of geography, virtual reality bring additional excitement to the subject. The students are able to learn the diversifications of any country, students get to know the culture, art, people, geographical locations of many countries as they wish.  

With interactive simulation, students are able to enhance their knowledge, concepts and theories. The technology of Virtual reality offers a great way to grow multicultural understanding among pupils.

BENEFITS OF USING VIRTUAL REALITY

When virtual reality is implemented in educational organizations, there are certain benefits for the tutors and students which are listed below

• It is a well-known fact that learning must be active rather than passive. Virtual reality provides an active environment with practical exposure and knowledge. By receiving practical exposure from virtual reality technology, the students are able to explore the real-world. When the students follow the passive learning method, the students may lack interaction. 

• Virtual reality technology shares the resources of individual electronic gadgets and earphones. As these gadgets are separate for each student, the classrooms and students can avoid distractions and disturbances. Whereas, in the regular classroom learning method, students can easily be distracted and lose their concentration and focus. Virtual reality controls the students over the concentration and focus. Because of this, they can secure high marks in examinations.

• Not all the generation kids have experienced the technology of virtual reality. For each generation, there might be new technologies in education. The technology of virtual reality provides a world-class education system for the kids of the 21st century. These generation kids are being surrounded by technologies, computers, programmes and software. Virtual reality offers a very comfortable and flexible environment learning rather than traditional classroom learning.  

• Some students are well expertise in certain subjects and some may not. Some students find it difficult in advanced concepts. Moreover, traditional learning methods provide only theoretical explanations of the advanced concepts. So it may cause great trouble for the students and teachers. With the implementation of virtual reality, you can eliminate some troubles. Since the technology of virtual reality is related to visualization, it is able to handle very difficult and complex concepts and deliver those concepts in an easy manner which is easily understood by the students. 

•  The technology of virtual reality offers great excitement and interest in the subjects. As virtual reality is related to electronic gadgets and exciting installed programmes, students get more excited when they use it. Moreover, every student has different learning styles, but the implementation of virtual reality technology breaks down the difficulties and different learning styles and incorporates all the students with a uniform learning method with practical knowledge. Because of this implementation, the students are able to follow the unique learning method. Both slow learners and toppers can easily understand the learning method of visualization.  The technology of virtual learning is an innovative and easy teaching method for both the students and tutors. 

CONCLUSION 

There is a great scope and demand for the technology of virtual reality in education. At present, only two educational institutions are following the method of virtual reality. But, in the late 21st century, you can witness many educational institutions using virtual reality technology. There are some disadvantages of using virtual reality such as highly expensive, communication with colleagues and peers may reduce and there might be some functionality issues. To provide the best education for the students with deep and practical knowledge, the school can neglect these minor disadvantages. Addition to that, even though you neglect these minor disadvantages, relying too much on upcoming technologies is quite addictive. To conclude, as years move forward, technology will also take a remarkable step. Therefore, rely less on technology and also provide the best education for the well-being of the students.  

Author Bio:

Varshini Murali is a content strategist of SchoolBasix, who research on latest topics what education industry speaks about. Specializes in handling blogs  that potential means of marketing and circulating across social media and holds a masters degree in marketing