In the 21st century, technology has become a dominant feature for everyone. Similarly, virtual reality has become a survival kit for many industries to grow and develop in many ways. It has become a necessity to fulfill every requirement with the utmost benefit. But the question is, what makes VR so powerful and essential that everyone is turning? What makes it so unique? Initially, it started with games, then with education, manufacturing, entertainment, etc.
Virtual reality technology has the potential to take learning beyond imagination. It has changed how we perceive education in the traditional sense. The learning platforms are designed to create an immersive and interactive learning experience that simulates real-world scenarios. In this article, we will discuss how does a virtual reality learning platform work?
Before we begin, let’s talk about the current state of online learning.
What is online learning?
As we all know, in a traditional learning method or lecture, you can learn by listening to your teacher or talking to your classmates. There is a specific time and location to attend these classes. Online learning lets you discover and grasp knowledge anytime and anywhere from your comfort zone and receive the same high-quality teaching.
Online teaching is mainly done through the internet. It helps improve your engagement with participants, social interaction, and asking questions through discussion forums via mail.
Why is online learning so compelling?
Online learning offers various advantages and benefits to individuals who want to learn new skills and educate themselves. However, many people are still inclined towards traditional schools and universities, but online education is a great alternative or supplementary tool.
The benefits of online education
The key benefits of online learning are as follows –
Lower costs – online learning programs are cost-effective. However, not all online degrees have less expensive tuition than traditional teaching, but it reduces the cost of travelling and accommodation.
Availability of the number of courses and programs – students choosing online courses have a wide variety of courses and instructors which they can learn from. Whether digital marketing or mechanical engineering, you get everything under one roof without hassle.
Convenience and flexibility – Individuals can access several resources, allowing them to choose their study time. Hence, students can simultaneously study and work at their peak energy, whether morning or late at night.
Immediate feedback, results, and responses – online classes have interactive sessions, doubt classes, quizzes, etc., that will help you improve your areas where you need them. Individuals can get immediate human feedback without waiting weeks and months and start working.
Considering this, experts have implemented VR learning techniques in online classes to improve engagement, memory retention rate, and experiential learning. Furthermore, this simulation-based technology has the potential to revolutionize how online learning is performed. Thus, with the help of virtual reality, students can visualize concepts taught in textbooks and videos.
How does the VR learning platform work?
Here are the general steps of a VR learning platform:
- Content creation: The first step is to create the content that will be used for the VR learning experience. This can include 3D models, animations, videos, and simulations.
- VR hardware: Users will need VR hardware to access the learning platform. This can consist of a VR headset, controllers, and sensors.
- Platform access: Once users have the VR hardware, they can access the VR learning platform through a software application or web portal.
- Navigation and interaction: The controllers allow users to navigate and interact with the VR learning environment. This can include selecting options, moving objects, and interacting with virtual characters.
- Learning objectives: The VR learning platform is designed to meet specific learning goals. This can include providing users with information, skills, and experience related to a particular subject or industry.
- Assessment: The VR learning platform can assess user performance through quizzes, assignments, or simulations. This data can be used to provide feedback to users and improve the learning experience.
How can online learning benefit from virtual reality?
Virtual reality (VR) can provide a highly immersive and interactive learning experience that can enhance online learning in several ways. Here are some ways that online learning can benefit from virtual reality:
- Virtual reality can create realistic simulations that can help students practice and develop skills that may be difficult or dangerous to do in real life. In short, it can accelerate learning, provide a safe learning environment, increase engagement levels, and bridge the gap between theory and practice. For example, medical students can practice surgeries in a virtual environment, while engineering students can practice building and testing structures in a simulated environment.
- VR can provide an active learning experience that engages students and encourages them to participate in the learning process. It can include virtual breakout rooms, live simulations, and real-time teacher feedback. Instead of passively watching videos or reading texts, students can interact with the virtual environment, ask questions, and make decisions that affect the outcome.
- VR learning platforms provide a more accessible learning experience for students who may not have access to physical learning environments. For example, students living in remote areas or not attending in-person classes can benefit from VR learning.
- It can provide a highly engaging learning experience that increases student motivation and retention. By creating a sense of presence and immersion, VR can help students feel more invested in their learning and more likely to retain what they learn.
Future of online education and VR
The future of online education and virtual reality (VR) is bright and filled with possibilities. With the increasing demand for online education, VR has emerged as a promising technology to enhance the learning experience. The integration of VR in online education can create immersive and interactive environments, providing realistic simulations that are difficult or dangerous to replicate in real-life situations.
As VR technology becomes more affordable and accessible, we can expect to see a surge in the adoption of VR in online education. As a result, the future of online education and VR is set to revolutionize how we learn and provide students with a more engaging, personalized, and effective learning experience.
