The technological transformation is well underway in the education industry, and Extended Reality (XR) is the latest entrant into the EdTech industry. Often people think of XR technology as a new-age tech to enhance the gaming and entertainment industry, but the potential of extended reality is not limited to one industry. Cutting-edge XR technology is making an impact in several industries, including education. Educators around the globe are beginning to realize the immense benefits of using XR technology in learning, and a
study predicts the global AR/VR market in education to reach $22.7 billion by 2027, growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6% during 2022-2027. Here are five promising reasons to be optimistic about the impact of XR technology in the EdTech industry.
5 Reasons Why We Think XR Technology will Revolutionize the Future of Learning
- The Immersive Classroom Experience
- Redefining Practical Learning
- Improved Learning Outcomes
- Social & Collaborative Learning
- Lifelong Learning Experiences
1. The Immersive Classroom Experience
Adopting XR technology in learning can drastically change how we teach and learn. What sounds more exciting, learning from a textbook or putting on a VR headset to experience a VR simulation? The second option sounds far more interesting, right? As many students are visual learners, they get more out of XR technology in education than traditional knowledge transfer techniques. AR/VR experiences are more memorable than conventional learning methods. In fact,
studies show retention rates are higher for students who learn through immersive lessons.
2. Redefining Practical Learning
Experiential learning is an engaged learning process whereby students "learn by doing" and by reflecting on the experience. However, many schools do not have the budget to construct labs or afford advanced lab equipment. Also, post the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions are migrating to online learning modes, which lack practical elements. Incorporating XR technology in education offers a practical, hands-on learning approach. AR/VR presents a safe environment for students to practice high-risk experiments. For instance, students can practice critical tasks like medical operations, machinery training, etc. A secure virtual environment ensures students can commit mistakes and learn from those mistakes without worrying about the real-life consequences.
3. Improved Learning Outcomes
Adopting extended reality technology in schools requires significant investment, which has people questioning the effectiveness of XR in education. Is XR really an improvement, or is it another new-age gimmick?
XR is not just a trendy technology that will fade away in a couple years. There are stats and experiments to back up the claim that virtual reality has the potential to revolutionize the way we teach and learn. In a recent experiment,
Google Daydream Labs taught two individual groups to operate an espresso machine, one with YouTube videos and another with VR technology. The results from the experiment show VR learners learn faster and make fewer mistakes.
Stanford University and Technical University Denmark
uncovered that incorporating XR technology improved memory retention rates by 76% compared to traditional learning methods.
These are not the only studies; several other experiments show XR technology in education is more effective than conventional learning techniques. Therefore, XR does have the potential to become the "new norm" in education.
4. Social & Collaborative Learning
Whether earning a career opportunity, expanding your network, or improving customer experience, knowing how to interact with people is crucial. In traditional or online learning modes, students often do not get the chance to interact with people from different parts of the globe. However, extended reality takes social collaboration to a new level, as students can connect with people through virtual conferences, VR avatars, etc. This leads to increased diversity and enables students to participate in virtual events and acknowledge their differences.
5. Lifelong Learning Experiences
Who says education should stop after college graduation? What is the point of learning if it stops once you graduate? XR technology can help people of all ages to keep learning and expand their knowledge. Whether it is learning a new language, practicing public speaking, or learning other soft skills, XR technology can help.
Today, XR is also providing benefits to corporate training. With extended reality, employees can practice high-risk activities such as machinery training, handling fire emergencies or how to deal with unhappy customers in an AR/VR simulated environment. Be it school, university, or corporate training, XR technology can make learning more fun, interactive, and engaging.
Get In on the XR Act
There are numerous benefits to adopting XR technology into the learning process. Using XR is a promising technique to deliver an immersive, engaging learning experience. XR technology has immense potential in education and training. Given the current climate of swift technological advancements, XR will become more accessible and affordable. So, it is a good time to make a wise investment in XR as: XR is not just a gimmick; it is a highly effective way of enhancing learning experiences.
Do you want to implement
XR technology in the education/training process? At Holopundits, we excel in developing immersive technological solutions. We promise to be with you every step of the way to ensure all your immersive learning needs are fully satisfied.
