Extended Reality in the Classroom

Just like in other industries, extended reality has become deeply rooted in the classroom environment. Many educational institutions have included extended reality in their curriculum. Also, extended reality hardware and software developers have created solutions, which are suitable for use within educational settings.

In some years to come, almost all modern classrooms within developed countries will have some educational content delivered using extended reality technologies.

Extended Reality

Extended reality refers to any form of technology that combines in some form the physical and the virtual worlds. At the moment, there are three major extended reality technologies. These technologies are mixed reality, augmented reality, and virtual reality. Each type of technology has a role to play in delivering education to students of all levels.

Mixed Reality in the Classroom

Mixed reality has the potential of providing students an immersive learning process. It is practical for use in engineering-related fields of study. A teacher can use mixed reality to simplify complex concepts. For example, a teacher can use mixed reality technology to take apart a car engine. Using this system allows a student to get in-depth knowledge that is usually not gotten from traditional methods of teaching.

In addition, mixed reality has a critical role to play in sciences that relate to medicine such as biology and anatomy. Students of such fields are best taught difficult courses using mixed reality technologies. Nonetheless, mixed reality can also be used in learning other fields within arts and social studies.

Augmented Reality in the Classroom

Augmented reality is the simplest technology amongst all the three extended reality technologies. It can be implemented using wearable glasses. Also, it can be used with portable mobile devices.

Augmented reality glasses can be updated continuously within classrooms as teachers deliver educational content to their students. For example, a teacher can include messages and pop-ups that will appear at strategic times within classes. Also, when using portable devices, objects and animals can be superimposed on the physical world to better explain concepts. Additionally, students are given a fun experience, which helps with assimilation.

In higher institutions, augmented reality can be used as an excellent tool for learning within labs, during excursions, and other field activities. Students can be given a checklist of things to be completed at each stage of learning. Such technology is perfect for use when visiting places of historical relevance as students get information about locations without losing focus.

Virtual Reality in the Classroom

Virtual reality is an extended reality technology that gives students a completely virtual experience. Teachers are given an excellent tool, which can be used to experience and deliver deep learning to students. Virtual reality is delivered via interactive headsets, which give a 360-degree virtual experience.

This type of technology is perfect for delivering a full-blown animation regarding exciting content. For example, students can be exposed to all the eight wonders of the world in full animation. Additionally, students are allowed to explore different locations around the world, which can be difficult and expensive to experience without such technology.

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