There is a bright future in the education industry with the increased use of immersive technologies of mixed reality.
With the ease of access to powerful technology and consumer electronics every day, students in classrooms across the globe will be able to access powerful tools for limitless explorations, experimentation and discovery.
“Technology has the power to unlock limitless learning, and lesson plans that encourage hands-on and visual learning drive deeper engagement from students,” says Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft.
In the past years, both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have become common. However, they have limitations on selective spheres such as the gaming industry. The emerging technologies have been potentially applied in a smart city, health care and even educational institutions in giving elaborate and engaging learning experiences. Mixed reality in education has proved to be the future in the learning sector.
Virtual Reality Incorporation in Education
Virtual reality utilizes the computer to create simulated environments and gives an immersive experience. Virtual reality enhances students’ engagement through accelerated learning and improvement of education quality. Students can now test their skills, interact with experts and record their all their findings using VR. Recent studies have shown that “93 percent of teachers say their students would be excited to use virtual reality and 83 percent say that virtual reality might help improve learning outcomes.” The essence of VR in education is to help students feel, experience, remember and express what they learned. By experiencing what they have never experienced before, students will now be able to prepare for such experiences when they happen in the real world.
The more a student participates in a life-like engagement, the easier it becomes to connect subject material, making it easier to apply and retain the subject matter. VR will revolutionize how people learn and interact with the real world.
Augmented Reality in Education
AR uses computer-generated images and videos by applying markers like barcodes, physical objects or movements in real-time environments to trigger interaction. AR breathes life into textbooks “by popping the pictures out.” For instance, in a biology class, students could place their smartphones over the textbook image to see how the heart is pumping blood in graphic detail. This not only captures the attention of students, but it also increases their concentration and enthusiasm in their studies.
This will revolutionize the learning industry by changing the location and timing of study procedures by opening additional methods and ways. Many students and teachers believe that learning shouldn’t be just about reading parts and studying diagrams. They believe that learning should incorporate interactive and creative elements as well. Most students have smartphones, which they use to communicate with others, play games and watch videos, but very few people use their devices to study either homework or additional information about a certain topic. Augmented Reality will go further to give students extra digital information, hence enhancing understanding.
AR also has the ability to render a 3D model of anything that might be difficult to visualize using a computer. A wide range of schools is implementing Augmented Reality-enabled apps and books because it’s quite easier to use and relatively inexpensive.
