I would
like to present a very interesting article about VR in education. In the modern
world pupils and students need new ways to improve their knowledge. In my
opinion VR is one of the best ways to
explore new fields of knowledge as history, geography, astronomy etc.
These days
virtual reality teeters on the edge of becoming mainstream, with software
development outstripping the hardware and memory storage needed. In the
article, a librarian and an art historian discuss many ways that VR may transform learning and
student experiences.
Not that
long ago students and scholars could access only the libraries and museums
available to them on their home campus — or perhaps in their city or region — because
only a select few had the credentials to access materials from other
institutions or the means to travel to distant places for their research. The
Internet changed everything, of course, with the corpus of human knowledge now
at everyone's fingertips. Just as hypertext, digital publishing, and other
digital media have transformed the ways in which we engage with documents and
collections, the technologies surrounding virtual reality (VR) may ultimately
transform the ways in which we teach, learn, engage with each other, and
experience the world writ large. In a not-too-distant future, as VR
technologies advance at a steady pace and become embedded in our lives, we may
one day look back with a sense of amazement at students once bound to a
physical classroom, campus setting, locale, or even place in time.
VR may be
seen as the next logical extension of cyberspace. While scientists and
programmers have explored the possibilities of VR since the 1960s,1 last year
marked the first time that VR hit the mainstream, when many of us from a broad
range of disciplines began to first see its possibilities. With freely
available apps, one can journey through our solar system with Titans of Space
or experience firsthand what it is like for a young refugee uprooted by war
through The Displaced, an immersive video documentary produced by The New York
Times, both available for Google Cardboard. One can now experience a Roman
gladiator battle with Colosseum VR or take a 360-degree tour of world cities
with StreetView VR for the Oculus DK2, and begin to feel like you're actually
there.
I would
like to ask you about the issues below:
- What do you think about using VR in teaching?
- Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
- What other topic can VR use during teaching?
Link to
article:
http://er.educause.edu/articles/2016/3/the-promise-of-virtual-reality-in-higher-education
HI
ReplyDeleteThe topic of VR for me it's rather creepy than exciting. As i was watching Samsung conference and everyone were with samsung VR glasses i realised, that technology goes to far.
In my opinion, VR can help to discover new science, but we need to remember to not lose contact with our reality and settle rules when and how we are going to use it.
I'm afraid that in the future we are going to have humans plants like in Matrix. I assume that future people will stay at their homes for weeks because they will have everything in the VR.
Iif we think about it a little bit more, we can imagine that childrens will play different games using VR, with no move during match - ok, they will move their heads to view 360 virtual world :) On the other hand, I can imagine that because of VR teenagers are going to play more sports than before, because it will be more exciting.
If we talk about investments, I think they should invest in it and every school should has one piece of VR glasses.
I think that this could be useful in medicine as a way of exploring human body.
As i said on the beginning it is a little bit creepy and scary, how our life can look like when VR will be so popular as smartphones.
In the past there was few movies related to VR and we can assume, what will be the influence to our lives.
Maciej generally I agree with you but I think there is no escape from the progress and development of new technologies and their impact on our lives. I reckon that humans in the future will live quite differently than in these days because the circumstances are changing all the time and we are bound to conform to them.
Delete1. What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteCertainly, it has its place in education. There are many subjects that would benefit from using VR technology.
Obviously, one can use VR in Mechanical & Civil Engineering (the obvious ones, we've seen adoption in the 90's), Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, History and many more. As more and more companies use this kind of technology day to day, it becomes both cheaper and the obvious thing to do.
I don't think I need to tell you what kind of advantages it gives; it is easily to imagine that you can learn about some historic events and deep dive into virtual reality of those times. That would be fascinating and I bet a bit more entertaining than pure facts.
2. Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
I guess you mean the government? As in Ministry of Education or Ministry for Higher Education (ha, we have two, bit this!)?
That would require more founds. Not in just the equipment, but also in the teaching materials. (Despite of we have been told in the article, the Internet is not as good source of learning resources, as they think. At least not for Polish language speakers.)
3. What other topic can VR use during teaching?
I guess, I have already mentioned a few. It's easier to say which one does not qualify, I guess. I can hardly see VR usage to teaching Math or Computer Programming, but I am open to be proved otherwise.
Paweł - in my opinion the situation in our goverment concerning not only education issue is more than sick. In Junior High Schools our adminstrations decided to teach students religion twice a week but in these schools there is no place for IT lessons. When I ask about administration involvment in VR issue I rather ask about situtation in normal, secular country.
DeleteBesides I agree with your point of view about VR in education but I try to imagine why you don't use VR in maths or programming teaching?
1 - What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteI gave my opinion regarding methods used in teaching in one of the previous posts. My opinion hasn’t changed, i’d say that whatever let’s teacher more effectively and, these days a very important factor, interestingly teach students.
2 - Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
Hmm. To be honest i’m not a fan of any government agency or ministry ‘investing’ in any form. It usually means much lower effectiveness and very doubtful result. So if there is anyone who could invest, then it would have to private companies. Then, administrations could start looking into possibilities how to improve teaching experience by spending certain funds.
3 - What other topic can VR use during teaching?
Probably everywhere. It could used as a blackboard of XXI century - then you could teach anything.
s14772 - I don't agree with your opinion that private companies should participate in educationa sector. Private companies aren't interested in real education itself but their will try to provide their equipment and technologies and as a result they would like to get money for this.
Delete1 - What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion this is good method and idea for teaching with new technology , but in the world we have group of people who likes standard methods.
2. Do you think administrations should invest in this topic ?
I think administrators should invest but when VR have one big success in world.
3.What other topic can VR use during teaching?
I am agree with s14772 , VR can teaching everywhere.
Unknown - thank you very much for your short answer. However I prefer a little longer commment about such an interesitng topic. I know we are IT students but you crossed the line a little ;-)
Delete1 - What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion this is good method and idea for teaching with new technology , but in the world we have group of people who likes standard methods.
2. Do you think administrations should invest in this topic ?
I think administrators should invest but when VR have one big success in world.
3.What other topic can VR use during teaching?
I am agree with s14772 , VR can teaching everywhere.
Iwo - - thank you very much for your short answer. However I prefer a little longer commment about such an interesitng topic. I know we are IT students but you crossed the line a little ;-)
DeleteCTRL+C and CTRL+V are a little not serious on this education level :-)
1 - What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion Virtual Reality is great addition to traditional learning methods, not as a replacement of traditional learning. We can observe today's young people and their connection with electronic stuff, because of smart devices people are getting dumber. They don't know how to solve problem without internet access and that is really sad.
So VR is great as addition to traditional ways (with books, hand writing etc.).
2. Do you think administrations should invest in this topic ?
Definitely yes, because it can be great addition for books and also you can see things that no longer exist and they can be reproduced in VR.
3.What other topic can VR use during teaching?
It can be great addition to medical robots such as Da Vinci. Almost every topic connected to technology can profit from VR. Also in astronomy and biology field can do some nice stuff.
Tomasz - I agree with you about modern children and their all connected life. It is a little sad and a little creepy they don't live, play, love without Internet and smartphones connected. I hope VR will be only additional issue to learning process not essential.
DeleteWhat do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteIn my honest opinion augmented reality would be better. VR is very expensive and graphic rendered by Oculus for example is far from being acceptable. Feel free to argue with me. Maybe it can fit in smart school idea, but not now. We will see in next 10 years, because VR is quite old concept and it's far from being perfect even nowadays.
Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
Definitely no, it's too expensive and won't help that much. You can see things no longer exist without VR crappy graphic.
What other topic can VR use during teaching?
Again, VR won't help as much as AR can. Even big factories are using AR, VR is currently far behind.
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/03/22/tesla-augmented-reality-factory/
Mateusz - thank you for interesting and not typical answer. I hate it but I half agree with you. I think in the future VR will achieve such advanced level so that it can be used easily and comfortably. In my opinon AR is only a conntector between real life nad real VR.
DeleteHi, your article really surprised me. I haven't heard previously about the google cardboard project. Funny gadget. I wondered how this technology can really improve the way we learn. By the way 3D technology is popular nowadays. When you buy new TV you get it, when you buy new computer you get it, phone you can get it. But how many of us have this equipment at home and use it regularly? I was thinking especially of that statement: "What VR offers to my students is an increasingly true-to-life way of visiting places that we otherwise could not visit". I agree, but so far can still watch all these places in the traditional way, right? On the other hand I understand that VR it isn't only 3D but this technology like AR gives us chance to use advanced capabilities of computer graphics (in little different ways). What could be an amazing experience for us. I think about this whole interaction with the virtual world. Because of that, I believe that technologies such as VR or AR are interesting and can bring benefits in the process of learning.
ReplyDeleteVR and AR have already brought a lot of benefits in the process of learning but I hope they are not going to be the only source of visiting places around the world- although it's not possible to visit all the places we would like to see in our lifetime personally.We are short of time and we haven't got enough money which is tantamount to giving up the idea of travelling.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteInteresting article. VR often arouses mixed feelings, from delight to the vision straight from Matrix movie.
What do you think about using VR in teaching?
I think this is very good idea. VR can be used to show and explain many complicated issues in a simpler way.
Not every student has ability to imagine some places, or processes, especially in a space or 3D.
In my opinion VR should be just the additional "tool" for teaching, because I believe that the most important and effective way of education is the explanation and discussion. Beside that, not everybody can use VR tools. People with vision problems or sick bony labyrinth may feel uncomfortable using this technology.
Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
Yes, but maybe not yet. The VR technology is still at the beginning of its development. An image quality is not that high, and the VR sets could be a little lighter. Moreover I think the technology is still too expensive to be a basic educational tool in schools and universities.
What other topic can VR use during teaching?
It can be used for teaching biology, chemistry, physics. The VR technology may be used to show everything that cannot be shown in a regular way at school (e.g. because it is too small, or too dangerous).
VR can also help a lot in teaching disabled students, who cannot perform the same actions that healthy students do.
Emilia - it is interesting that you are not the first person who things about VR through MATRIX movie vision. I love MATRIX series and sometimes I am scared about life vision presented in such a kind of movies. I am afraid this vision will come true because people have a suicidal tendencies.
DeleteI hope it won't :)
DeleteHi, thanks for the great article recommendation. VR is definitely a hot topic this period of time as we see an increasing number of equipment being developed (most notably Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR, Playstation VR, Occulus Rift, HTC VIVE). I am usually for adopting new technologies that become accessible to any area that could benefit from them. This is also the case with VR in education, which in my opinion is a natural next step that could enhance the learning process. The article described some great applications of VR like rebuilding ancient places and having a virtual tour in those locations. Currently the technology is pretty expensive still, i.e. Occulus Rift requires a high end PC and the total cost of having such a station together with the headset can easily exceed 1500 EU. It is not hard to finance however when it gets cheaper more and more schools should have such laboratories. VR could be used also as a social tool, to make teleconferences feel more real like (this is one of the reasons Facebook purchased the rights to Occulus).
ReplyDeleteMichail - thank you for appreciating my article. Thank you for your optimistic opinion about future of this technology. I think in the nearest future VR will be more useful if it is cheaper. Creepy MATRIX movie vision is still in the far future and maybe it will be a problem of our descendant.
Delete1. What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteIt seems it has a chance to be used in education on a greater scale especially for Art, Architecture, Biology etc. In the same time I stay attached to the old fashioned ways of teaching subjects requiring logical or creative thinking.
2. Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
Definitely, it would be great a great help for many fields of study.
At the time I was studying I remember my friend, a medicine student, complaining about the quality of materials used during her studies. Apparently, in majority they were printed texts with very schematics drawings. Many students learned it by heart and passed their exams without knowing what color certain organs are.
3. What other topic can VR use during teaching?
Medicine, Biology, History, Art, Engineering, Architecture
Joanna - In my opinion this is a shame for our education units which allow to provide manuals of less quality. I admire students who despite the lack of materials achieve good results and finally they are professional. I think VR is a technology for an average student without deep scientific nature.
DeleteFor the last 30 years people have written milions of articles, books and made movies about VR. Not until very recently technology was mature enough to support the idea. Now we have at least two serious competitors like Occulus and Samsung working to deliver very sophisticated hardware that seems to fulfill the technological promises. So it is possible to see VR in real action soon.
ReplyDeleteKinga - I think popularity of VR technology will increase when prices fall down. In my opinion high level of cost blocks VR development for the education itself. I think VR will be available for average customer when big companies see big business in this technology.
Delete1. What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteVR usage is great idea. I had a pleasure to use plane simulation during my studies. It was cheaper and safer for me. I crashed plane several times during that training before I learn how to land safely.
2. Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
Definitely yes. Not every experience is available to everyone. For example I could not afford to attend the pilot training course. With VR had the possibility to feel like a pilot.
3. What other topic can VR use during teaching?
Please have a look at that https://www.ims.tuwien.ac.at/projects/vr-on-sitet. Virtual Reality simulation during the Training for First Responders looks very promising. It will be specifically designed for the needs of training first responder personnel, such as fire brigades, paramedics, police forces and others. They intend to design and develop a highly versatile, mobile setup to allow quick deployment at different real-world locations. I keep finger crossed that it will successes.
Marcin - Thank you for your unconventional statement. This is an interesting example to use VR in current times. I used to wish to be a pilot but then I realized I was afraid of flying :-( I envy you. Nowadays I can fly only as a passenger not a pilot unfortunately.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWiesław - I congratulate you on having police mates ;-) But your are right this technology is very useful in training because virtual shooting is less dangerous and cheaper than real one. Unfortunately the police are too passive in real life maybe because they think they are taking part in VR training.
Delete
DeleteIt is also true
VR are lb can be of great use, inter alia, training of police officers, soldiers, pilots, which allows for a sense of the real situation at a much lower cost, I have some friends in the police force is heard more and more about VR in police.
DeleteQuestions related to education. Of course, generation of high school students is so closely bound up with the technology that they are doing something like this without her feel uncomfortable.
I think that VR can be used in any field, you need only a good idea and good software. If it's a good idea to find and good software.
VR is a really hot topic right now. I'm really exited about the technology but it's way too early for it to hit mainstream. I own Google Cardboard and it's fun to use but only for a short period of time. After more than 5 minutes with it I usually start to feel ill. GearVR from Samsung/Oculus is supposedly more comfortable, still there's lots of technical challenges to overcome before people can use VR seriously.
ReplyDeleteSo basing on the above, here answers to your questions:
1. What do you think about using VR in teaching?
Great idea which should be explored in the near future, once VR will be mature enough.
2. Do you think administrations should invest in this topic?
Not yet. I think VR should be somehow researched at universities, so the investments should come from science grants.
3. What other topic can VR use during teaching?
I don't seen any limitations here. Once VR usage will be common, every class could be a VR based course.
Krzysztof – thank you for your opinion. This is a new thread in our discussion concerning health aspects of VR. I think staying a long time in VR world can be very dangerous for our brain, eyes etc. Actually we don’t care about health issue but our body day by day is bombarded by new technologies gadgets. I think one day our body will say: enough.
DeleteA few days ago I've had a chance to experience VR (googles + headphones) for the first time. The potential of VR is huge. Teaching process could take great benefits by using this technology, but not before creating a well considered program. Investment in this solution is good, but yet on trial. I think, that this technology is going to be the future of teaching/learning processes.
ReplyDeleteMarcin - thank you for your opinion. Could you tell me when I can try this technology in Warsaw?
Delete1) - What do you think about using VR in teaching?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion VR could be something to improve your traditional method of learning. I think that shouldn’t be on the first place than standard learning. Yes – I know that technology and internet are going to be more smart than traditional method but I still believe that now it can be only something additional to „normal” learning.
2) Do you think administrations should invest in this topic ?
Yes – of course! I know that is time when we only use that method occasionally but in the future everything it could be different.
3) What other topic can VR use during teaching?
I think that could be development in almost every kind of science. But now I’m thinking about car mechanics. That could be use with a specialist glasses to repair or assembly car construction.