Does virtual reality improve learning?

VL stands for Visual Learning, VR stands for Virtual Reality. A large number of pupils benefit from visual learning methods, they can absorb information based on diagrams, images, and video. The retention rate of visual learning is higher for both children and adults. Teaching with VR are part of visual learning methods, and offers new possibilities for a more effective learning process. You can read how VR improves “visual learning” in education on this page.

What is visual learning?

Diagrams and schematic drawings are considered when learning on the basis of visual aids, yet there are many other types of visual information that can improve the learning process. There is not for nothing that the saying “a picture says more than a thousand words”.

When someone gets to see a complex image, or reads a text with a description of the exact same situation, the person who tolerates the image can give more details. The brain records the whole, the coherence of elements allows the brain to better capture and retrieve the information. Visual anchor points are laid that can be called up immediately.

What is virtual reality?

With virtual reality, a situation is displayed that is different from the environment. This can be a 360 degree photo or video, it can also be a 3D environment of, for example, the moon.

With VR in education, it is therefore possible to bring a student directly to every location in the universe, the classroom is no longer visible at that time. There is no distraction, all images are focused on information transfer. These presentations can be passive and interactive, depending on the content and objective.

Better learning with VR in education

Virtual reality is not only visual, it can also involve sound, which can further increase the retention. By adding the element interaction to the virtual experience, the haptic sensors are also addressed. In other words; the student can touch, feel and manipulate the environment.

VR in education is a safe and controlled way to teach students in a visual environment, where the teacher has total control over the situation. Moreover, the student will pay full attention to the content.

Not everyone benefits equally from a visual learning process, but it has been proven that VR education ensures that students can remember more information and can learn a skill faster with interactive simulations. This will certainly benefit most students.