Bringing the World to the Classroom: Can VR and XR Transform Education?
Sibabrata Choudhury, AVETI Learning
What if we could transport students to places they have never been to, enabling them to explore different cultures, environments, and experiences? Can a students in a remote village conduct a chemical experiments in a safe space?
All this can be possible through virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR). Students can see and feel the world beyond their immediate surroundings. A child in Keonjhar district who has never seen the ocean can now experience the soft breeze of Bay of Bengal while sitting in her classroom. Similarly, a student from the coast of Balasore can experience the majesty of the Deomali hills, the lush green scenery, and the breathtaking sights from the top of the hill. Through the power of VR/XR, we can bring the world to the classroom, enabling students to explore and learn about places they may never have the chance to visit physically.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies will enable students to experience immersive simulations, virtual field trips, and interactive learning environments that traditional classroom settings cannot provide. For example, students can use VR/XR to explore the human body, learn about historical events, or even visit foreign countries without leaving their classrooms. Use of VR/XR in education is still in its early stages, but it has already demonstrated the potential to revolutionize the way we learn and teach.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, virtual reality learning can be used to reinforce previously acquired knowledge and apply skills learned through conventional e-learning. AVETI has already developed digital content that is being used by over 1.2 lakh learners across Odisha. Video lessons are created using state-of-the-art techniques to provide students with a highly engaging and immersive visual experience, thereby enhancing their learning experience. With the use of VR/XR technology, AVETI aims to provide even more innovative and effective learning solutions to help students learn better and faster.
Aveti Learning has taken a progressive step towards revolutionizing classroom teaching by initiating a project to integrate VR and XR applications into the learning process, with support from META and MeitY and incubation support from AIC Sikkim Manipal University. Through this project, Aveti Learning intends to develop innovative VR/XR products that can be adapted to meet the specific requirements of schools and native learners.
Venturing into VR and XR applications requires a long-term strategy that encompasses three critical aspects that we will address as we move forward.
First, Design suitable modules for VR and XR applications that students can adopt as part of their learning curriculum. These modules must align with the academic requirements and provide an engaging and immersive learning experience.
Second, Grade user interface and distribution integration model appropriately to ensure that it is user-friendly and accessible to all. This will help to eliminate any barriers to entry for students and teachers, making it easier for them to use these applications effectively.
Third, Address the infrastructure challenges that currently exist in the education system. This includes ensuring that there is adequate hardware and software support available to run these applications. Additionally, network or connectivity issues may impact the quality of the experience.
By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that students have access to the tools they need to learn effectively and efficiently. Ultimately, our goal is to create a seamless and intuitive VR and XR learning experience that benefits students of all ages and backgrounds.
