The Benefits of Virtual Reality Learning Environments
As technology becomes more advanced, technology is making it easier for our students to learn in new and exciting ways. Virtual reality learning environments (VRLE's) have become one of many new technological tools to help students learn. However, there are many students and educators alike that are unsure of the benefits that are a part of virtual reality learning environments. Here are a few to consider:
1. Provides Visualization of Difficult Concepts
Whether a student is in 3rd grade or a senior in college, VRLE's will help them visualize concepts that are difficult to understand. For example, there are many concepts within the realm of mathematics and science that are usually explained as a formula, or with simple two-dimensional images. Not every student is able to digest these visual representations easily, and that anxiety can be unproductive or distracting to their learning process. A three-dimensional image may be more beneficial to those types of students.
2. High Level of Immersion and Engagement
In a normal classroom environment, there are a myriad number of ways for a student to become distracted. A high level of immersion can help students block out those distractions so that they can focus on the class material. A high level of engagement means that the student is retaining more knowledge as they interact with the VRLE and the class material within it. It may also produce engagement between students, as they socialize with others about their experience.
3. Appropriate for Many Learning Styles
There are multiple learning styles that each student may embrace to help them quickly attain information and knowledge. Generally, it's agreed that there are 7 types of learning styles. As far as VRLE's go, they can be of benefit to anyone that learns best through visual, aural, and physical interaction. This can be applied further to students who prefer group interaction, or l to like to learn alone, since the material can be customized for every type of student.
4. Prepares Students to be Competent in Future Roles
Although VRLE's are relatively simple for now, the potential of virtual reality and augmented reality being used in various fields of the future is huge. By preparing students now in the classroom, they will become more accustomed to using this type of technology in the future. This will allow them to be more competent than other students as the demands of future positions change and look for those skilled in using advanced technology.
There are multiple other benefits for choosing to use VRLE's, however these four are aspects that staff at Digipline Tech feel are important. This is especially so when educators and designers are looking to build learning experiences using Digipline Design. We'll have a more in-depth post about other benefits in the near future.
