Virtual Reality

 

Virtual reality is being able to experience things through computers that do not exist. In technical terms, “Virtual reality is the term used to describe a three-dimensional, computer-generated environment which can be explored and interacted with by a person.” (Woodford & Sisler, 2023)

Virtual reality should include a couple of different characteristics. Those include believability, the ability to be interactive and explored, computer generated and immersive engaging both your body and mind. Many different forms of VR have progressed over recent years. Fully immersive VR is a specific type of VR that does what the title suggests. The fully immersive experience has to be plausible, and a powerful computer and hardware fully immerse the user in the virtual world. This would have to include special equipment and areas to take place. Web-based is another type of VR, this type of virtual reality would include the ability to build virtual worlds on the internet. Lastly, augmented reality is a type of virtual reality that aims at connecting online experiences to experiences that are had in the real world

Using VR as a learning tool has many different risks and benefits. The addition of Virtual Reality has multiple different advantages that create non-plausible experiences in the classroom. With VR students can explore different realities that would not be able to be explored otherwise. The addition of VR also creates interest in students, when students are interested in what they are learning it creates a better learning experience. With student interest, this also creates better student engagement which, again, leads to more information being learned and a better learning experience. Another advantage would be VR’s ability to present information in other languages thus eliminating the language barrier. I know personally in my classes I have multiple ESL students who cannot speak or understand English, if there were applications to help those students through VR it would make them feel more included and help me as an educator educate them. 

With advantages with anything there also come disadvantages. VR is an application that creates individual experiences for people. These experiences create a natural seclusion of its users. This could lead to a deterioration in human connection damaging relationships between students and teachers if used as a replacement for traditional learning. Another issue with VR is that there is a lack of flexibility. When using VR applications the software is specific and doesn't offer students the ability to ask questions and receive answers. Lastly, VR is very expensive and not all schools have the ability to spend billions of dollars on advanced technology.

Overall, VR is a great technological advancement that has many advantages and disadvantages. The use of VR can create very unique and beneficial learning experiences for students if used correctly. But, VR is an expensive technology that is not practical for most schools. It is important to keep in mind that this is a tool for education and not to be used to replace traditional teaching and learning. 

Woodford, C., & Sisler, W. (2023, August 14). What is virtual reality? - A simple introduction. Explain that Stuff. Retrieved February 21, 2024, from https://www.explainthatstuff.com/virtualreality.html