The reality in these times of the ongoing digital revolution has become synonymous with virtualization in a lot of ways. Hence, virtual reality is a booming vertical of technological innovation in contemporary times. It is incredible how virtual reality is enabling the reimagination and reinvention of concepts in various spheres of life. Aren’t we fortunate to be witnessing all these amazing overhauls around us?

The global virtual reality market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 18 percent in the coming years. This insight is based on the market research carried out by Grand View Research. Among the different spheres witnessing colossal overhauls via virtual reality, the domain of education and learning is among the top beneficiaries.

Speaking of the market size of VR in education, it is expected to reach USD 19.6 billion by 2023 with a CAGR of 16.2 percent. The fact that the market size of VR in education is tipped to reach USD 19.6 billion from USD 9.3 billion in 2018 narrates the story of the exponential integration of VR in education. The market size increasing to double the value in five years is unbelievable, isn’t it? In this diligent blog, we look at the various ways in which VR is transforming learning to make it more immersive than ever before. So, let us get going without further ado.

Fascinating advantages of virtual reality in education and learning

1. VR cultivates greater curiosity in students
   Curiosity is the starting point of all great things including learning. If Isaac Newton was not curious enough to probe the reasons why an apple fell on him from the tree, maybe the concept of gravity would have never been discovered. Having said that, curiosity is the basic fundamental for learning. Students learn with greater efficiency and exuberance when they are curious to learn.Virtual reality is facilitating massive learning curiosity in students and learners of all ages. The attractive visualization of learning concepts is helping students overcome the monotony of textbook education. Hence, it is fostering immense curiosity in students such that they look forward to being introduced to new learning concepts in an indulging way. They are curious to explore how virtual reality can capture their imagination and make learning more real. From virtual field trips to virtual trips to the solar system, virtual reality has made learning one of the most interesting things for students.In fact, VR can work particularly well to enhance students’ curiosity in subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering etcetera. To accomplish greater success in these domains, students need to develop greater curiosity and overcome the fear of these subjects. This explains that for fields of learning like STEM and SEL, virtual reality is the way forward. In all possible ways, VR is empowering teachers to leverage the merits of learning curiosity in students.
2. VR offers stellar visualization to students
   
   The findings by Survey Monkey reveal that 62 percent of parents are of the view that VR will facilitate enhanced learning experiences for their children. This speaks for the increasing acceptance of VR among students as well as parents. This is for the simple reason that stellar visualizations are able to drive higher levels of student engagement.While textbook education may not be able to attract the desired attention spans in students, VR provides a great solution. With interactive graphics and reimagination of learning fundamentals, students find learning more engrossing. With VR, they can feel their thoughts and perspectives being visualized in a stunning way while correlating with learning concepts. Moreover, the stupendous visualization from the medium of VR assists students in exploring and delving deeper into novel facades of learning.Moreover, through fabulous learning and educational apps offering VR-oriented learning, students can access personalized learning experiences. Given the massive scope of learning offered by VR, students can learn whatever they want as per their interests or needs. Moreover, VR in education comes with great flexibility. Students can use this learning technology whenever and wherever they want hence gaining from personalized learning experiences.With different learning requirements and given the fact that everyone learns at their own pace, personalized learning holds the key to academic success. Among the conduits of personalized learning experiences, virtual reality takes the top spot.
3. VR is bridging learning gaps
   
   Virtual reality is playing a pivotal role in bridging all kinds of gaps that may exist in students’ education. The first and foremost gap it addresses is that of geographical locations and time zones. Virtual reality is transforming the face of distance education for the better. Students and learners can now learn from universities and colleges from anywhere in the world through VR. They can access VR-based learning modules at their convenience and suitable time. Moreover, it plays a vital role in re-engaging and motivating remote learners.The other learning gap that virtual reality can significantly help to overcome is that of language barriers. Since visualization has no language, native speakers of all languages can learn in a worthwhile way through virtual reality. Moreover, in virtual reality, all languages can be incorporated into the software and swift translations are possible.Hence, no student will have to be at a learning disadvantage because of language constraints. In this globalized world, VR is playing an active role to bring learners of different languages together. To add, VR can also act as a perfect link between classroom education and learning at home in a blended learning environment. The world needs to acknowledge the multidimensional ways in which VR adds new dynamics to classroom learning.
4. VR facilitates the highest form of practical learning
   
   It is a well-known fact that practical learning steers better learning outcomes than theoretical learning. Fundamentals like STEM learning, geometry, organic chemistry, astrophysics, robotics, trigonometry, medical procedures etcetera can be learned the best through practical exposure. Having said that, virtual reality provides the highest and the most engaging form of practical learning. The three-dimensional virtual conceptualization of learning topics takes the learning experience to a new level. Hence, it is correct to say that virtual reality is turning students into great scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

   Let us try to understand this humongous difference in learning through a relevant example. If a student is learning about cubes, cylinders, cones etcetera from a textbook, the two-dimensional view would offer restricted understanding. However, a three-dimensional visualization will give students an exact idea about the dimensions of 3D figures. This simple example explains how VR makes learning more practical and realistic, taking a step forward from textbook learning.Therefore, virtual reality enables teachers and students to explore the best possible efficiency in practical learning experiences that render greater knowledge and academic results.

5. VR helps overcome learning disabilities
   
   Simulated learning environments enabled by virtual reality can be blissful for students with learning disabilities. Virtual reality has the prowess to add immense value to special needs education. To substantiate, the integration of virtual reality in classroom learning and at-home learning introduces students with special learning needs to an intriguing world of knowledge.With the incorporation of virtual reality in education, parents and teachers can adjust contrasts and text sizes for students with problems in vision. VR can also help children who find learning to read a challenge. Also, audio comments can be added to virtual reality-based learning lessons with compatible aids. This is just one example of how VR in education can address one of the many possible learning disabilities.Henceforth, virtual reality is assisting in making education more inclusive such that students with special needs do not feel left out. In the near future, VR will play an inevitable role in the integration of learning among students with varied learning needs. VR will no longer remain a solution to problems in education but will become the mannerism in which education will be pursued. VR will make education accessible for all and inspire big dreams in all students irrespective of their disabilities.

To conclude, it is high time that parents and teachers recognize the benefits of virtual reality in education. Education after three to five years from here on will look quite different from what it is now. The larger part of these overwhelming overhauls will be driven by artificial intelligence and virtual reality given their rampant growth in the sector of education. The sooner teachers and parents introduce students to virtual reality the better it will be for their academic pursuits. It is time that we acknowledge the fact that virtual reality is the way forward in education.

Happy teaching,

Jessica Robinson