Real learning in the virtual world

You cannot turn on a television or read a folder without seeing an image of a person with a futuristic headset and a big smile. We are in the age of virtual reality.

This virtual world is not only an escape from reality, but it can also be a powerful learning tool for education. A number of practical applications are explained in this article.

Discover with Nearpod

The company Nearpod makes virtual teaching programs for education. They are compiled on the basis of existing lesson programs. By using virtual reality, they are provided with a lot of visual information.

This way you can view the Mars rover in 360 degrees. The teacher is instructed about the implementation of the lesson and the accompanying course material.

In the school desks with Lecture VR

Sit down and listen to a lecture by Einstein on the theory of relativity. With VR teaching you can follow lessons from the greatest thinkers, live or not, anywhere in the world.

Virtual lessons are developed at Lecture VR, it is also possible to place a panorama camera in an existing classroom that you can follow live via the internet with a headset. This type of remote learning is also ideal for children who are sick and can still take lessons.

Explore human cells with InCell

Edugaming is ideal for virtual reality. With the games inMind and InCell you fly through the bloodstream of a virtual person. The images are stylized, you can shoot with virtual lasers and at the same time you get more and more insight into cell structures and medical science.

School in a bus with XQ Institute

With this initiative a school bus was converted into a full school. By using VR headsets, they can brings teaching to all corners of the United States as a traveling circus. You can explore the entire universe with one pair of glasses.

Teachers are not being replaced

However progressive and high-tech these developments may be, they are not a substitute for a teacher than a textbook or PowerPoint presentation. It is a new way to give students more insight and to improve practical teaching. You learn more about the universe if you can virtually fly into orbit around Jupiter. With VR technology, cooperation between students is also encouraged as long as the curriculum is well organized.

Although professional systems can cost thousands of euros, a smartphone with a cardboard holder is enough to take the first steps in VR teaching. That is really learning in a virtual world.