Not many of us will ever see the UN General Assembly hall or experience the frenzied trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange. But with Virtual Reality (VR) technology moving into the realm of education, it won’t be too long before you could immerse yourself in any environment without stepping outside of your classroom.
Learning with VR
VR has been a hot topic of discussion among many educators, and for good reason. According to scientists from the University of Maryland’s College of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences, people recall information better if it’s presented to them through VR compared to computers or hand-held tablets. As an alternative to traditional means of learning, subjects taught through an interactive and virtual space also lead to an increase in engagement, concentration, comprehension and satisfaction.
Simulation allows students to enter a world they would otherwise not have access to. The familiarity of subjects already learned is then further built upon with new immersions into unique situations. The result is not only enhanced learning but enhanced neural connections. Simulation using VR could be particularly useful for teachers in the digital age educating students about the effects of global warming or conflict zones, where immersing them in an environment could provoke action and behavior via the emotional pathways in the brain which are also linked to memory and learning.
There are many companies and startups leading the way in using VR technology in science education. “A million-dollar lab, one click away” is Labster’s unique selling point, an educational company which offers true-to-life laboratory experiences using VR to STEM students from universities and high schools the world over. Another example is Unimersiv, self-proclaimed as the largest platform for VR educational experiences where you can learn human anatomy or even explore the Titanic. Google’s Expeditions Program also lets students explore exotic places, archaeological sites, museums and go on virtual field trips.
Will Business Education Adopt VR Technology?
The use of VR shows much promise in business learning. For example, VR can be used to simulate what goes on at a production line, offering business students insight into how companies operate. Essential to any profession is communications, and students can also master the craft of public speaking utilizing VR, with audience reaction controlled by professors using an application. Students can also use VR case studies, where marketing principles could be applied to long- and short-term challenges retailers face like changing a store’s interior design using a 360-degree view. Students’ interaction, motivation and satisfaction levels can prove to be much higher using such technology than examining case studies the conventional way.
VR could revolutionize the way we learn, bridging education with technology to help students get the best out of their studies. While the technology is just starting to grow more, it’s only a matter of time before institutions fully embrace virtual reality, investing not only in a connected, global world but bringing student learning to a whole new level.
At EU Business School, we adapt our teaching skills and classroom to the technology in the modern age and we believe that our students will be fully prepared to help take their employers or own businesses to the next level.
