Virtual Reality is not a new technology, more than fifty people are working on VR equipment. When you include painting with works of art such as the Panorama Mesdag from the nineteenth century, these kinds of applications have been around for much longer. The big difference between then and now is the availability of advanced equipment that makes Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality much more accessible. With a smartphone and a cardboard holder with plastic lenses you step into a completely convincing world. In addition to entertainment such as films and computer games, VR is increasingly being used in schools. The possibilities of Virtual Reality offer almost unlimited possibilities within teaching, from primary school to university.

No experience with VR in teaching yet? There are various configurations for rent, from an individual headset to a combination of VR headset that are connected including the computer and software.

How does Virtual Reality work?
To view new VR worlds you need a VR headset. The luxury VR headsets have one or two screens built in and are connected to a modern and very fast PC. In addition, there are smartphone holders that use the screen and the computing power of the smartphone. The second method is cheaper and wireless, but the positioning of the more expensive models is missing. With Virtual Reality, full vision is taken over by the virtual world around you, there must always be help within education.

Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality

Augmented Reality is another technology, with a layer over the existing view. Consider the subtitles, a logo or an additional framework for a television broadcast. AR is very suitable for interactive manuals and, for example, additional information during a museum visit. Mixed Reality also projects information about reality, with the difference that these objects really seem to be “anchored” to the environment. For example a Pokémon figure standing in the garden, or a Dino standing on the kitchen table.

Child-friendly VR
Modern Virtual Reality equipment is new technology that has not yet been extensively tested. Some users experience a feeling of nausea, this can occur when the image you see does not correspond with the other senses. For example, think of a VR roller coaster that you watch from the couch, you can become disoriented.

Another uncertain factor is the development of eyes in children. Because too little research has been done into this, most headsets are not recommended for children younger than twelve or thirteen to use the VR headset. This number is chosen quite randomly. Child-friendly VR headsets often do not have a headband, which means that the child must hold the headset themselves. This prevents staring into the VR headset for too long. When sessions are limited to a few minutes, the chance of future problems is very unlikely.

When using VR headset, the limitations in view and balance of the user are the main factors to take into account. Let children work in groups, possibly with guidance.

Shut off from the outside world

There is a risk of falling and colliding, certainly in a busy classroom. In the near future this problem will be solved with a “depth scan”. Both Microsoft with the Hololens and Tango from Google are already able to analyze the space. By translating this data into the VR headset you know exactly where the real obstacles are in the room.

Teachers opt en masse for VR teaching

Samsung had a study conducted in teaching in which as many as 92% of teachers supported the use of digital technology in the classroom, with even 99% of teachers aged thirty and younger. In addition to VR technology, laptops and projectors are increasingly being used. Although the number of teachers who used VR teaching in the classroom was only 18%, the willingness to use it is about half, to 58% among younger teachers. No fewer than 79% of the teachers indicated that VR makes it possible to experience that are otherwise impossible.

The investment is still too high for many schools, and new developments follow at a rapid pace. It is possible to rent virtual reality headsets. This is not only fun for the students, teachers learn to use this new medium in education.

Knowledge is a human right!

The lower the threshold for teaching,, the faster we develop as a society. The EON Experience VR is an example of a free virtual reality school and AR app that focuses on educational applications. Google has developed an accessible lesson program called “Google Expeditions” where multiple students can participate in virtual tours at the same time. The teacher acts as a “host” and leads the group through the excursion.

Magic with Markers

“Markers” can be used for Augmented Reality, which are images recognized by the software. These types of markers can then call up new information. This technology is increasingly being used in museums to provide additional explanation to visitors. There are even blankets and play mats available for children that bring textiles to life.

Peer has developed a cardboard construction kit that comes to life with Augmented Reality. A simple cardboard shape gets virtual blades, which transforms it into a functional windmill. With VR headsets or smartphone, physical objects can be expanded with virtual information.

Drawing in depth

You can draw and paint with markers, chalk, paint and now also with VR controllers. Drawing packages such as Quill for the Oculus Rift and Tilt Brush for the HTC Vive let you draw and paint in three dimensions. In addition to the creative aspect, the sense of perspective and depth is also stimulated. These packages are more than toys, they are currently being designed as films and computer games.

School trip in the classroom

Panorama photography and 360-degree video makes it possible to travel around the world from the classroom, and to make excursions to companies that you normally cannot visit. General Electric has made a series of 360-degree videos about robotics in which exciting images are used to keep the students involved.

Get the children moving

A frequently heard criticism of modern technology is the passive experience and the lack of movement. With the help of a projector and some smart technology, a gym can be transformed into a high-tech computer game. The advantage of this type of application is the ability to design new experiences based on existing facilities.

From the classroom to home

Homework becomes a lot more interesting when VR and AR are used. There are already blankets with a special image that comes to life through the eye of a tablet camera. There is also a VR application to explain to children the importance of brushing their teeth.

There are many more ways to learn while playing, including instruction and adult education.

Remember more with audiovisual information

Retention plays an important role in the learning process. How can you let a student record more information and remember it for longer? Research has shown that audiovisual information is better remembered than a textbook or oral explanation. With stereoscopic 3D images the retention is even higher, complete VR experiences are stored by the brain as an “actual” experience. The latter is also important for VR education for a younger target group. They sometimes have difficulty separating reality and fiction.

No replacement but a tool

With websites and lesson programs such as Google Expeditions and Unimersiv, as a teacher you will almost think that Virtual Reality will replace the real teachers. That is not the case, it is the developers of these types of applications who put the teacher at the center of experience. The technology is always used as a learning tool, just like a textbook or a blackboard. Virtual Reality in the classroom is not future music, it is already reality in the classroom.

Discover the possibilities of VR teaching without major investment, rent a Virtual Reality set for a day. Experienced supervisors provide the technology so that the school can make optimal use of all possibilities.