In an era where technological innovations are at its peak, the Education sector is facing many newer challenges than ever before. The overall climate of education has been changing rapidly due to the advancement in the technologies streams like Virtual Reality(VR), Augmented Reality(AR) and Mixed Reality(MR). The Higher Education sector is also affected and demands newer approach which has led to the adoption of VR, AR & MR.
The teaching & learning of the subjects like Medicine, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Vocational Education, etc., are becoming more interesting & engaging and is in line with the latest Innovations in the Higher Education section through the adoption of VR, AR & MR solutions.
Individually each technology has its own merits & demerits. This blog explores all these 3 technological innovations being currently used in the Higher Education sector for its benefits & differences.
Virtual Reality in Higher Education
Virtual Reality takes you to the simulation-based simulation based computer-generated world which one can be real or imagined in the thoughts. It is titled as the Next Generation of Education, Learning, and Training by the Forbes magazine. This innovative technology has been creating an engaging environment for the students and helping in improving the learning power of the learners. VR offers endless opportunities for students who are participating in higher education or Vocational courses like Medicine, Military training, Automotive engineering.
Benefits of VR in Higher Education
With the reduction in the cost of VR gadgets and tools, the number of educational utilization of VR gadgets is estimated to expand drastically up to 15 million by 2025, according to a report from Goldman Sachs. Several colleges and universities have already signed up for this technology and using it to improve the level of higher education. This stream has been benefiting educational institutions in multiple ways such as:
- a) Visual Learning
- b) Training to Future Teachers
- c) Designing Futures
- d) Campus Visit & Enrolments
Augmented Reality in Higher Education
Augmented reality is a part of the real technology that overlays digital information in the context of real-world elements. In AR technology, the real world is the main focus point, but it is enhanced with the number of innovative digital details and layering new strata of perception. This reality technology takes part of your reality and turns it into a better place by improvising with supplements. The common example of AR would be Pokemon Go game.
In the education system, with the easy availability of Google Glass and augmented reality tools, a significant growth with a solid impact can be observed in the future. The prominent examples of the AR in the education sector would be the British Museum’s Ancient Egyptian trail or The Augsburg Display Cabinet experience at the John Paul Getty Museum.
Benefits of AR in Higher Education
Today, different edtech apps and tools are available that superimpose text, graphics, videos, and audio into the environment of a regular classroom. Exposure to AR tools at an early stage of education can improve the learning abilities of students. Apart from the gazillion of benefits of AR following can be observed in higher education.
- a) Better Interaction
- b) Better Development
- c) Less Expensive
Mixed Reality in Higher Education
Mixed reality is a technology that brings the real world and the digital components together on one line. In this part of real science, you interact and manipulate both the physical and virtual terms of the ecosystem using the next level sensing and imaging technologies. MR allows you to observe and immerse yourself in your surroundings even when you are interacting with the virtual world using your hands and that’s without ever removing your headset. It is something where your half body is in the present world and half in the virtual world, and you have the ability to easily switch between both the contrasting worlds.
Mixed Reality can be also explained as something which offers all the best facets of virtual reality and augmented reality. Microsoft is the one company which is working towards exploring the potential of mixed reality with its Hololens headsets and a self-contained a holographic computer. This tool has been adopted by 60 universities. One partnership, with the University of Cambridge and the civil engineering and construction firm Trimble, aims to optimize the automated progress monitoring of remote structures. Team of surgeons from Imperial College London has been also using MR to examine patients before the performed surgery on them. Hololens has been truly revolutionising the teaching methods.
Benefits of MR in Higher Education
Mixed Reality is not fully evolved like virtual reality or augmented reality. Microsoft is still working hard to make this technology impactful and beneficial for the users. However, the initial development of MR has showcased a positive impact on the higher education sector.
- a) Improved Learning Process
- b) 3D Models
- c) Makes an Environment
- d) Remote Study
Comparison Between Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality & Mixed Reality
| Comparison | VR | AR | MR |
| Meaning | VR presents something which isn’t actually present with the help of computers. | AR utilises your current environment and overlays with the digital information on it. | Mixed Reality is a combination of sensors, super-advanced optics and next-generation computer power. |
| Experience | To experience VR, headsets are mandatorily required to connect with a computer or gaming console. | AR experience can be gained by downloading AR apps on your smartphones as the camera will capture the real environment and automatically lay virtual objects on it. | One can experience MR with holographic devices which can scan the real environment and place 3D objects on it that can be viewed from different angles. |
| Interaction | With VR headset you get completely separated from Real-World. | AR allows users to be real-world and superimposes virtual elements. | Mixed reality uses the best of both VR and AR so interaction is similar to both, |
| Examples | Creation of illusion with the help of VR headsets | Snapchat lenses and the game Pokemon Go | HoloLens |
| Tools | HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard | Smartphones, AR apps | Microsoft’s HoloLens |
Conclusion
All the three reality technology – virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies are part of the today’s rapid development due to their mountainous benefits in not only higher education sector, but plenty of other sectors as well. These technologies are the future of the education industry because they have the power to bring the perfect level of innovation into the colleges and universities which students and teachers have been looking forward to.
Panworld Education provides Quality VR and AR solutions for both Higher Education and K-12 institutions and emphasizes on inspired learning and improved outcomes.
