Virtual Reality Apps for Education—If we have discussed augmented reality in education before, this time we want to explore topics related to virtual reality that can be used in education. In the previous discussion we also mentioned the use of virtual reality in the learning process.
Virtual reality can be used to help students learn material while providing a non-symbolic first-person experience in the virtual world. In addition, VR can create third-person interactions that resemble the real world, even when such interactions are difficult to achieve in the real world. Another advantage of using virtual reality is that students can change the size of an object using sources that are not visible or difficult to describe in the physical world.
Pantelidis (1995) explains that the benefits of using virtual reality in the learning process can provide the latest format and visualisation. Through VR technology, the delivery of material can be done in different ways such as close-ups, remote observations to observations in areas or events that cannot be done by other methods. In addition, VR can motivate students and make them more active in the learning process. The flexibility of VR technology also makes it easier for students to learn at their own pace.
How to use virtual reality in the classroom?
Virtual reality requires VR glasses to immerse the user in a virtual world. Through these VR goggles, students are able to not only observe a situation, but become part of that world. The glasses contain a screen and close off the user’s view of the outside world. This is because each eye sees its own image, which is slightly different from the other eye. The virtual reality allows students to enter a simulated environment so that the interaction feels more real.
What are the virtual reality apps for the classroom?
The types of virtual reality applications in education depend on the type of VR glasses used and the type of material being taught. Some applications that can be used in the learning process include:
Virtual reality apps for languages
In the language classroom, the teacher can use VR to make the learning process more fun. Some of the virtual reality applications for language learning include:
- House of Languages
The apps offer interactive learning with Mr. Woo, who introduces you to his family. He will also take you around the city to teach you some basic vocabulary at the airport, zoo, café and other places. The House of Languages offers language learning in English, German and Spanish.
- ImmerseMe
It claims to be the world’s best academic language, offering 9 different languages with 3000 different scenarios. Some of the languages we can learn in ImmerseMe are German, Spanish, French, English, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek and Indonesian. It claims to be the world’s best academic language, offering 9 different languages with 3000 different scenarios. Some of the languages we can learn in ImmerseMe are German, Spanish, French, English, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek and Indonesian. The application provides the situation where learners interact in real life scenarios. For example, students learn how to order a baguette in Paris, buy a bento box in Tokyo or try tapas in a Spanish restaurant.
- Mondly – Learn Languages in VR
Unlike the previous app, Mondly offers real dialogues in 30 languages in virtual reality. The aim is to train students to speak the language they want to learn. As we all know, the best way to learn a language is to try and speak it in real life. The app also provides instant feedback on pronunciation and vocabulary suggestions.
Virtual Reality apps for science courses
Some of the apps below can be used in biology and science classes, including:
- Ocean Rift
Ocean Rift is a virtual reality app that provides learning about the underwater world. It is the first virtual reality aquatic safari app. In this app, students can virtually swim underwater and see various fish and sea creatures such as dolphins, sharks, turtles, sea snakes and others.
- The body VR
The Body VR offers a service to the biology course for learning the microscopic element that travels through the body. The app also visualizes how diseases and treatments affect the human anatomy.
- Apollo 11 VR
The Apollo 11 VR app allows students to experience being an astronaut on a NASA mission from a first-person perspective. This is an interesting experience that can usually only be experienced through films or Tintin comics.
There are many more VR applications that can be used in the learning process. Are you interested in trying them out?
