Virtual reality (VR) is an increasingly popular technology that is making its way into schools. VR headsets allow students to be immersed in digital worlds where they can explore anything from the molecular level to outer space.
As this exciting technology becomes more prevalent, some wonder if it will drive more families to remove their children from public schools in favor of homeschooling or private institutions.
There are merits to both sides of this complex issue.
Arguments That VR Will Drive Families Out of Public Schools
- Access and funding gaps- While some public schools, particularly in more affluent areas, are able to purchase VR equipment, most cannot. This creates equity issues where only some students have access to innovative learning tools. Frustrated parents may choose alternative options.
- Teacher training difficulties- Implementing new technologies requires proper teacher training, which takes time and resources. If teachers are not up to speed on using VR, parents may doubt its educational value in public schools.
- Concerns over appropriate content- Public schools must vet VR content to ensure it is age-appropriate and does not violate policies. This bureaucratic barrier could delay adoption of the best VR learning tools, prompting some families to leave.
- Data privacy issues- There are reasonable concerns over schools collecting sensitive student data through VR headsets or platforms. Public distrust over how that data is used could motivate more private school enrollment.
Arguments Against the Idea That VR Will Drive Families Out
- Budget constraints - Private schools and homeschooling require significant financial resources that not all families have. For many, public school remains the only viable option regardless of new technologies.
- Socialization benefits- Public schools provide important socialization for students to learn teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills. Most alternative options lack this critical component.
- Regulatory catchup - Guidelines around VR use in schools are still emerging. As best practices develop regarding screen time, content filters, age limits, and more, public schools may prove as judicious as private options.
- Continued public investment- Various public funding initiatives help schools adopt innovation, including VR and other immersive technologies. As costs come down, access gaps in public education should gradually narrow.
Key Considerations Around VR in Schools
Implementing an exciting but largely unproven technology like VR across an entire public school system warrants careful thought around student wellbeing. Areas that policymakers, technology vendors, schools, and families should reflect on include:
- Conducting rigorous research on VR’s impacts on childhood development, especially younger students.
- Creating school-wide policies addressing age-appropriate VR content, headset sanitation, simulation sickness prevention, playtime limits, and more. Having guardrails matters.
- Making decisions through an equity lens to ensure students across economic spectrums can benefit from VR, not only those at well-funded schools.
The Bottom Line
It remains very unclear if VR usage in K-12 education will ultimately provide an impetus for families to exit public school systems en masse. Regardless, for such technologies to boost learning and retention for all students, not just some, public and private institutions must prioritize responsible implementation, teacher readiness, and equal access across economic divides.
If not appropriately managed, VR risks becoming yet another tech tool exacerbating existing disparities rather than closing them. But with prudence and foresight, VR could positively shape the future of learning for students everywhere.
