Virtual World for education

Education in a virtual environment might sound geeky, but students, groups and institutions such as Harvard are flocking into virtual reality to study. But how effective is VR as a hands

-on study medium and should we completely avoid traveling to classes knowing that our university, school and research institution exists within our homes?

The first example where VR works for education can be shown by discussing our third project for Digital art studio class. The project uses 'Second life' - a VR program-- to enable us to create an urban space that encourages communication and interaction through the construction of interactive features such as a game. With VR our group were able to discuss concepts development within second life -- it is a field trip experience without th e risk of involving in a car crash, spending money on transportation and wasting time. But the values of education in second life is that you don't need to be together in a group in real life to construct. You are able to save time and effort. You are in a learning environment where Occupational health and safety issue doesn't apply.



In the field of Medicine however, VR has a weakness. Imagine dissecting a human body in VR and you have misplaced an organ. There is little to no long-term, physical risk to you when you rearrange the misplaced organs. There is great value in this in that you can familiarise with the circulatory system and anatomy of the body, but you are still missing on real hands-on experience that is needed when you are performing surgeory on a living patient.





So to sum up, the effectiveness of virtual reality education varies within the field of education that you are in. Studies at the virtual reality and education laboratory of Caroline University found that Virtual reality education 'can be educationally effective....some level of learning does occur', Student using VR technology performed at least equivalently and usually better than those using other forms of instruction. This is perhaps as a result of students being more motivated when using VR to study. Teachers roles have now changed from acting as an educator to 'facilitators' who monitors and directs the students while they are using Virtual reality programs to learn. If virtual education is so effective, then why would you want to go to school or University and risk safety, money and time?

http://vr.coe.ecu.edu/vrits/3-1Young.htm