Artificial intelligence gets all the attention as it changes the higher education landscape, but lost in that attention is another piece of technology that can have a similarly profound impact on teaching and learning—virtual reality.
I’m an evangelist of sorts for virtual reality in higher ed, but I don’t think I’m overstating the case when I say that VR in its many forms holds the capacity to revolutionize a multitude of sectors, including education, healthcare, entertainment and engineering. True, its reach and level of interest has not yet matched that of artificial intelligence. Cost and accessibility are issues—headsets and other required equipment are beyond the means of many strapped budgets, while AI requires little new investment.
VR also requires special training for people who support and use the technology, and to use it safely, requiring additional resources. Since VR has not yet been widely adopted, fewer high-quality educational content has been designed that can be integrated into the curriculum.
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We will see more VR applications as technology advances and costs decrease, but it will take time. In the meantime, VR can provide so many teaching and learning opportunities that higher education can’t afford to stay on the sideline much longer.
A powerful learning tool
Virtual reality and its cousins—extended reality, augmented reality and mixed reality—can be as powerful a learning tool as artificial intelligence to help students learn more, and more quickly. Studies show the immersive quality and active learning of VR greatly boosts student involvement, helping them to retain as much as 80% more than they would using traditional teaching methods.
VR experiences are interactive and immersive, making complex concepts more engaging and easier for students to understand. They learn to manipulate complex data sets, charts and graphs by taking them off the page and turning them into three dimensions, helping to get a more complete view of the data.
VR tools can also be designed in a way to better match each student’s distinct learning style. Those designs can accommodate educational tendencies, granting those who learn through sight, sound or movement the chance to interact with material in the way the helps them learn best. This embrace of diverse learning styles helps each student succeed and grow.
Virtual reality also helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by creating an interactive space that allows students to directly engage with their study material. For example, medical students can simulate surgeries, engineering students can evaluate their structures in virtual simulations, and art students can sculpt within three-dimensional realms.
Students can sit in on simulated negotiation sessions or trade stocks on a simulated trading floor. Law students can practice courtroom litigation and history students can virtually visit important historical sites. They can interact with students around the world to better understand cultures beyond their own and how they are affected by the decisions we make.
Such practical experiences provide a level of comprehension that conventional teaching methods cannot provide while fostering a culture of creativity and challenging conventional thinking. It also extends across disciplines, encouraging collaboration and addressing multifaceted, real-world issues that transcend the boundaries of a single discipline.
Virtual reality is changing the workplace
According to a report by consulting firm PwC, virtual reality and its cousins could add $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030, and create millions of jobs across various sectors, such as health care, education, retail and manufacturing. VR can help workers improve their productivity, creativity and well-being and reduce costs, risks and environmental impacts. It’s imperative that higher education prepare students to succeed in this world.
Many industries are using virtual reality already. Marketing and advertising agencies create immersive brand experiences using advanced VR tools, human resources offices use it to train employees in a safe and controlled environment, and engineering and design firms create interactive 3D models and streamline the product design process. Logistics companies optimize warehouse navigation with VR, real estate agencies use it to create virtual tours of existing properties or properties yet to be built, and firms use it to guide customers through troubleshooting and helping technicians with repairs in real time.
VR is already everywhere, so students will have a growing need for competency. Exposing them to VR provides vital capabilities suited for the future labor market. This encompasses not just the technical know-how but also the essential soft skills like critical thinking, inventive thought and flexibility.
Focusing on ethical issues
Technology this powerful cannot be adopted without first thinking about how people might misuse it. Students must be aware of those ethical, social and cultural implications and critically reflect on how it will affect privacy, security, accessibility, diversity and inclusion. Higher education is well positioned to encourage students to think about those issues.
But the potential abuse of virtual reality doesn’t change the fact virtual reality is no longer just a tool for entertainment or gaming. It’s a powerful technology that can transform the way educators teach and students learn and collaborate. Higher education now has the ability to create immersive and interactive experiences that enhance learning outcomes and engage students. We have a responsibility to use these tools to prepare them for the future of work.
As we prepare the next generation for a world where technology plays a pivotal role, VR offers unparalleled opportunities for practical learning, engagement, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Educational institutions embedding VR within their curricula will be graduating individuals who are adaptable and prepared for the demands of a tech-centric global economy while at the forefront of shaping its future direction.
