Create Customized Learning Experiences in Classroom With Immersive Technology

Every child is different from the other in one way or another. They have their own capabilities, Learning Experiences, and shortcomings. They have different interests too. While one child could be good at making art, the other could be good at solving mathematical problems. Since every child is inherently different, we shall not expect them to be able to learn everything in the exact same manner.

In the modern digital world, there are many ways through which elder students are being facilitated. For instance, students can give online submissions of their assignments. Being a student, I can always take or ask someone to take my class online for me. While I can do my class online, shouldn’t there be some sort of digital aid for the younger kids too?

Immersive technology brings a new era of learning

Before the invention of the television and the World Wide Web, the only source of entertainment for people has been books (buy essay, 2021). Hence the same was utilized in the teaching system too.

In our everyday classrooms, students learn in traditional ways. There is a teacher who reads from a textbook. Students also have their textbooks in front of them, and they try to follow the sentences with their teacher.

Then there is work that has to be copied down in the notebooks. All of this indeed becomes pretty boring. And the main problem is that there are many students who are not able to learn things in this manner. with the advent of the utilization of immersive technology in the classrooms, this problem has been removed. It would not be wrong if we would say that immersive technology marks the new era of learning in schools.

What is this immersive technology?

Now you may be wondering what this immersive technology is. Well, immersive technology is basically a digital approach in the modern system of education. This approach is targeted at keeping the interest of students in consideration. And managing ways in which their attention can be grabbed.

In this digital learning technique, unique sort of learning experiences is tried to be created. This is done by using technology to generate artificial or simulated environments. These environments enhance learning in kids.

The digital environments that are thus created in immersive technology, allow the students, as hinted in the name, to immerse in them. The focus here is on creating a sensory experience for the kids. Different sounds, images, and other sensations are used to create specific sensations for the kids. Hence in this way, students are able to get an actual ‘feel’ through this sensory experience, and a customized learning experience is created.

Students are able to get an interaction with real-life objects and even places while remaining within their classrooms. This makes learning thousand times more interesting. Studies have shown that digital learning contributes to deeper learning (VanderArk and Schneider, 2012).

There are many ways in which immersive technology can be implemented inside classrooms.

Virtual Reality (VR)

In virtual reality, computer modeling and simulation are used. This is utilized to create a 3D visual experience or some other sort of sensory experience. There are VR headsets that can provide stereoscopic screens which are used to view animated images of simulated environments. Teachers can guide their students on how to use these headsets, and through experiencing such visual experiences better learning can be ensured.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality works by basically enhancing the experience of the real world. In it, different visual, sound, and other sensory stimuli are used. These are used to digitally place objects within the real-world environment. Perceptual information is thus created.

For instance, you can be viewing an actual empty room, and through Augmented Reality, you can visualize a sofa within it. Hence virtual objects are placed in a digital interface.

Mixed Reality (MR)

In this digital technique, both the virtual and augmented technologies are mixed. Hence new sort of visualizations and environments are generated, in which both the digital and the physical objects can co-exist. These objects can interact in real-time.

There are various display technologies that can be used to make the interaction between the mixed reality application and its users possible. Hence the user can navigate through both i.e. the real and the virtual environment simultaneously.

Gamification

In this process, the game mechanics and designs are utilized. These are applied to the nongame environments. And in the case of immersive technology, obviously, they are utilized to enhance the learning experience.

Things to bear in mind while implementing immersive technology in schools

While the concept of using technology to customize studies can overwhelm educational institutions with joy, nonetheless. It must be applied with precautions.

• Whatever technology and the corresponding methods you use, make sure that they are in accordance with the learning objectives of the concerned courses.
• Immersive technology is not meant to replace the teacher. Hence they must be utilized as supplementary tools, they should also not be used as a replacement for the actual courses.
• While making use of the immersive technology, students should better be taken to bigger classrooms or some sort of open spaces, this is because students are supposed to move around while experiencing virtual experiences, this would come naturally, hence safety precautions must be ensured to prevent them from stumbling into something.
• There is a possibility that after using the headsets, students may start to feel a little disoriented, the best way to avoid this is by using immersive technology for shorter sessions.

Final Statement

The invention of immersive technology is a game-changer in the history of learning. The way in which students can gain knowledge through its use is unparalleled to any other. Students can actively engage with objects, environments, and scenarios. Through this, not only do they develop a better understanding of things, but also they can learn things according to their own pace.

References

• BE-UK., (2021). Book Review Vs Book Report – Complete Guide. Online Available at: https://www.buyessay.org.uk/book-review-vs-book-report/ [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022].
• VanderArk, T. and Schneider, C., 2012. How digital learning contributes to deeper learning. Retrieved June, 30, p.2013.