Virtual Reality (VR) in Education & Training

Last month I bought a Virtual Reality (VR) system for my energetic and tech-savvy 9-year old sons’ birthday, it was eye-opening for me to see the potential of this immersive digital world! As he explored different galaxies, interacted with historical figures, manipulated 3D objects, and wandered into the captivating virtual environments, I realized that VR offers way more than just entertainment. It sparked my curiosity about how this technology is being used by education systems and professional training programs worldwide. This article aims to shed light on how VR can serve as an immersive, interactive, and impactful tool for education and training

One obvious and key advantage of using VR in education is its ability to transport students to different environments and simulate experiences that may be otherwise impossible or dangerous. For example, medical students can utilize VR to practice intricate surgical procedures within a risk-free environment. 

One such platform called Osso VR enables students to perform virtual surgeries, mimicking real-world operating rooms and procedures. By leveraging this technology, medical students are able to build confidence and refine their skills and reach an acceptable level of competence before embarking on actual surgical procedures, thus leading to improved patient outcomes.

Similarly, VR has shown its effectiveness in training military personnel. The United States Army has adopted VR training to enable soldiers to undergo combat simulations without any physical risks involved. Through environments created by firms like Mace Virtual Labs, this immersive training approach enhances their critical decision-making abilities, boosts situational awareness, and reduces combat-related stress. STRIVR, another US-based VR training company, in association with Stanford University, has partnered with football teams to elevate player performance by providing realistic game-like scenarios during practice sessions. Consequently, players can make more informed decisions on the field while ensuring their safety.

VR also has the potential to add significant value to more traditional classroom settings. By using VR headsets, students can embark on virtual field trips and explore historical landmarks, natural wonders, and cultural sites from around the world. VR.Space offers immersive 360-degree virtual tours from around the world. Not only does this bring learning to life, it also broadens their understanding of different cultures and places.

My own son here in Dubai, inspired by Sultan Al Neyadi’s groundbreaking 6-month space mission, has spent hours ‘on-board’ the International Space Station, ‘conducting experiments’ and even taking a virtual space walk to simulate a maintenance mission, making Sultan’s remarkable achievements so much more tangible for a 9 year old. 

The corporate world is also successfully incorporating VR for training employees across various industries. For example, Walmart employs VR to train its staff in customer service skills, management techniques, and other essential proficiencies. By creating realistic scenarios within a simulated environment, employees can practice handling difficult customers or managing challenging situations. This hands-on training approach significantly boosts confidence and overall performance.

VR has made significant advancements in empathy training too. Stanford University's Virtual Human Interaction Lab and other organizations have developed VR experiences that enable individuals to perceive the world through someone else's eyes. Take, for instance, the VR program "Becoming Homeless" which immerses users in the perspective of a homeless person, fostering awareness and empathy for this pressing issue. This immersive approach has proven more impactful than conventional methods of empathy training.

So VR in education holds great potential, but it also presents several significant challenges for the education ecosystem:

The high upfront cost and maintenance of VR equipment pose a significant financial obstacle for institutions to adopt the technology en masse, and accessibility across different student populations would raise equity concerns. As with all technology, glitches can disrupt the learning process, while prolonged use of VR can cause physical discomfort such as dizziness and eye strain, limiting productive learning time. Although VR experiences can be captivating, they inadvertently foster social isolation and dependence on technology, and long-term adoption could potentially hamper the development of interpersonal skills among learners.

Of course, teachers and trainers would need to acquire new skills to effectively utilize this technology, requiring additional training, resources and PD time. The lack of standardized, high-quality VR content creation remains a pressing issue for educational purposes, and lastly connecting to VR spaces may expose students to potential safety risks due to cyber threats. However, these challenges are not insurmountable; continuous advancements in technology and pedagogical approaches are gradually addressing these issues.

In summary, VR has the ability to transform education and training by offering incredible opportunities for immersive and interactive learning experiences. These experiences were once unimaginable, but now they hold tremendous potential in areas like medical training, military simulations, and corporate learning programs, as well as a complimentary tool within the school environment. As this technology continues to advance, it is certain that VR will continue to have a profound impact on the future of education and training.

Thanks for reading! I will unveil another edition in two weeks, amplifying current global education conversations with a MENA perspective.

Paul Edmunds paul@arddel.com or paul.edmunds@pwc.com