Is VR Going to Transform Our Classrooms?

AI-driven learning platforms, these tools have been reshaping how educators teach and students learn, making lessons more interactive while providing more personalized learning experiences. One of the latest innovations in tech that has also become part of the conversation is VR. 

For those unaware, this is virtual reality tech that immerses users in a fully digital, interactive environment through the use of headsets and motion controllers. While the technology is not quite there yet – both in practicality and costs – there are many who believe it will transform classrooms around the world, creating a whole new way for students to learn and engage with their subjects.

Gamifying Subjects

One of the ways people think it might do this is by ‘gamifying subjects’ – turning lessons into more game-like experiences – but this isn’t exactly a new thing. Take math, for instance. Widely regarded as one of the hardest subjects for children to learn, over the last few years, more classrooms around the country have been leveraging fun math games online to help students become more engaged, with the promise of ‘leveling up’ and even exploring open-worlds as motivation. 

VR, in this way, could be a bit of a step back. While it offers a more immersive experience, right now, online math games are still driven by community and interactivity. Teachers can utilize them in the classroom while still communicating effectively with students, fostering a sense of togetherness and collaboration. In contrast, VR experiences would isolate students in their own virtual worlds, making it harder for teachers to engage and for students to thrive in a group setting. 

Not to mention, VR’s intense immersion can easily overshadow the educational content on offer. Instead of focusing on solving problems or learning concepts, students might get caught up in the virtual environment itself, treating it more as a game than a lesson, which could ultimately lead to a loss of educational value. When it comes to gamifying subjects, VR has a lot of potential, there’s no doubt about that. But it also has the potential to distract students and make the teacher’s role far more difficult as a result.

The Power of Virtual Worlds

With that being said, one area in which VR can excel is the ‘virtual field trip’. With schools across the US running on tighter budgets, traditional field trips are becoming less common, which is bad news for students looking to explore the world beyond the classroom and experience more hands-on learning. 

With VR, however, more schools than ever can provide students with opportunities to explore faraway places, historical eras, or even environments that no longer exist. For example, students can take a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza, they can dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, or they can walk across the surface of the moon. The possibilities of learning, in this way, are endless, and by putting kids up close and personal with a wide range of subjects, there’s every chance they will become more engaged, curious, and inspired to learn more. This is where VR can really change, and – if it ever does truly transform our classrooms – this is the way it will likely do it.