The global crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst of change in many parts of our daily lives. Among all these changes, the transformation of how education is imparted has been more radical than most. Neighborhoods that constantly faced noise problems from nearby schools and colleges now house desolate buildings and empty campuses. As for all the students that created that noise – they are now in their homes, silently staring at video conferencing applications on their laptop screens, while their teachers try their best to engage them.
At the onset of this massive shift in learning, online education was hailed as an end-all-be-all answer to every problem with the traditional educational model. Yet, over the last two years, there has been a rising acceptance of the fact that the traditional educational model has many merits that cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, students, as well as teachers, are still navigating the limited capabilities of online video conferencing apps.
Why is real-life learning better?
The biggest problem with online learning is the low level of interaction and engagement. Despite extensive training for new instructional models and resources, teachers have struggled with maintaining engagement in online classes. The sheer impact that educators create with their physical presence, the volume of speech, and cadence in a classroom cannot be replicated on a purely video-based interface. Even while using the best video conferencing applications, the delivery of any educational material is stunted substantially, and teachers end up losing the attention of their students despite their best efforts.
For students, shifting online presents another set of problems altogether. The time students spend at schools and colleges forms the foundation of their future social self. Here they hone their social skills and more importantly form their peer group. Operating on online video conferencing applications like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc. limits the possibility of cultivating new bonds; students do not have any time or space to spend time together after classes, nor do they have an incentive to know each other better. In this regard, online learning robs students of their chance to socialize meaningfully.
On the flip side, online learning offers the ability to increase classroom sizes instantly, support remote participation, and reduce the overhead costs of maintaining physical premises. Simply put, it makes education affordable, flexible, and inclusive.
The middle ground solution – Immersive VR
As Aristotle famously said “when faced by extremes, the answer is the golden middle path”; educators too must tread the middle path of staying online while also providing the benefits of a physical classroom. Luckily, the solution to this problem already exists and can readily substitute video conferencing applications.
Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) software essentially recreates the physical environment of classrooms, meetings and conferences in a 3D virtual space. They engage our brains in a similar manner as physical environments do; when coupled with geospatial cues, the virtual reality experience becomes truly engaging and ergonomic.
Platforms like NextMeet allow institutions to create 3D virtual classrooms online; everything that makes classroom learning truly engaging – entering and occupying a common space with fellow students, learning from the teacher’s lecture as well as the notes on the chalkboard, even colourful posters on the wall – can be recreated within a virtual classroom.
No more rows and rows of blacked-out user screens; every participant can show up as a quirky avatar, occupy a virtual seat beside another user, and make their presence felt with spatial audio and animated gestures.
By customizing their virtual environment, users can simulate a physical classroom conducive to learning as well as peer interaction. It might be a while before students can safely step into a school building again – but education at all levels can remain just as engaging and impactful as before, and even more flexible and inclusive for all.
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