The Edvocate

Top Menu

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • Contact Us
    • Edupedia
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • The Edvocate Podcast

logo

The Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • Books
    • Contact Us
    • Edupedia
  • PreK-12
    • Assessment
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development
    • Classroom Management
    • Early Childhood
    • EdTech & Innovation
    • Education Leadership
    • Equity
    • First Year Teachers
    • Gifted and Talented Education
    • Parental Involvement
    • Policy & Reform
    • Special Education
    • Teachers
  • Higher Ed
    • Best Colleges and Universities
    • Best College and University Programs
    • Diversity
    • HBCU’s
    • Higher Education
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • International Education
  • Advertise
    • Request a Product Review
  • The Tech Edvocate Awards
    • The Awards Process
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
    • Award Seals
  • Apps
    • GPA Calculator for College
    • GPA Calculator for High School
    • Cumulative GPA Calculator
    • Grade Calculator
    • Weighted Grade Calculator
    • Final Grade Calculator
  • The Tech Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • The Edvocate Podcast
  • Nonprofit Provides Resources to Help Schools and Districts Tackle Learning Loss

  • A Guide to Percentile Ranking in Education

  • What Is a Rubric?

  • How to Implement KWL Charts in Your Classroom

  • What Is Self-Efficacy?

  • Item Analysis and Other Exam Design Principles

  • Receptive Language (Understanding Words and Language)

  • How to Implement the Devil’s Advocate Strategy in Your Classroom

  • Object Permanence Development In Young Children

  • Characteristics Of Visual-Spatial Learning Style

Digital & Mobile TechnologyUncategorized
Home›Digital & Mobile Technology›How Virtual Reality is Changing Education

How Virtual Reality is Changing Education

By Matthew Lynch
January 3, 2017
Spread the love

We all know how wildly popular Pokémon GO was when it first launched (and continues to be). With as many as $5.7 million spent daily on in-app purchase and 21 million active users, it’d be an understatement to say it is an overwhelming success. Augmented and virtual reality (VR) are the technologies behind Pokémon GO. It’s estimated that over the next several years the growth in VR will surpass that of smartphones. Up until now, virtual reality has been largely used for entertainment purposes. However, the applications extend to other facets, including that of education.

Virtual Reality in Educational Settings

VR allows for high-impact learning experiences and as this new age of affordable VR tech presents itself, the opportunities for improving education abound. Educators are well aware of the positive impact out of classroom experiences have on learning. From K-12 classrooms, to college internships, to undergrad research and studying abroad, high-impact experiences provide increased learning and retention. Unfortunately, these types of programs have traditionally involved a good deal of time, money and personnel. With both the availability and affordability of VR, students nationwide will have access to high-impact educational experiences.

From taking a guided tour of the Great Wall of China, to examining world-renowned art in a museum halfway around the globe, these micro experiences are able to shape student learning far more than an in-class lecture. Imagine biology students exploring the Great Barrier Reef firsthand or students in a history class having that ability to observe an ancient Mongolian tribe. Beyond travel, VR also supports training experiences via virtual labs in chemistry, biology and engineering. These sort of high-impact micro experiences will become standard practice with VR. Not every student can travel abroad, yet anyone is able to venture to the library, put on a VR headset and begin virtual exploration. By using VR, student experiences transform critical thinking.

Best Practices for Virtual Reality

As the potential for an educational revolution begins, it will be necessary for research to be completed in order to determine best practices and the most meaningful applications of VR for education. Students will need to learn the technical side of VR and how to navigate the relationship of virtual and real life. With the users being thrust into the subject matter, research and exploration into multi-sensory learning will be key. Educators need to know how the immersive learning environments are impacting students – for good or bad – and be able to adjust how the technology is used based on those answers.

In an effort to harness the potential of VR, institutions will need to think beyond the initial “wow” factor for students and determine how to capitalize on building knowledge.  Standards will also need to be determined in managing how students navigate between the physical and virtual world in relationship to coursework and communication via instructors and fellow students. The applications of VR outside education will progress and inevitably bring up additional considerations for instruction and learning. Like all technology, as it evolves so will the need for regulation and best practices by the educators who implement it.

VR presents a bounteous and untapped future for education. Learning will morph into something that becomes a full sensory experience available to all students, regardless of background. Students who may not have the means to travel the world may be able to get an up-close look at it anyway with virtual reality technology. Everything that is taught will be interwoven and embedded into their world. Real and virtual realities will melt together to offer high-impact experiences that immerse students in a way that no other educational resource previously has.


Spread the love
TagsEdtechedtechchatelearningSTEAMSTEM
Previous Article

Ineffective assessments, part V: More critical thinking ...

Next Article

Ineffective assessments, part VI: More digital access ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • The Tech Edvocate

    Teach Kids to Code and Secure Their Future

    February 10, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Uncategorized

    School Communication Made Easy with Remind

    January 24, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • EdTech & Innovation

    10 Ways Edtech Tools Can Change The Way You Teach

    April 12, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechTrending Topics

    The Ten Characteristics of Teachers Who Successfully Use EdTech

    May 20, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • The Tech Edvocate

    What the Heck is a Makerspace?

    January 22, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    How Edtech Companies Can Sell to Charter and Private School Markets

    January 30, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch

4 comments

  1. Stephanie Chan 5 January, 2017 at 11:55 Reply

    Your article on virtual reality is an area that is quite enlightening. Virtual reality seeks to expose today’s students to the world. This opens up their minds and enables them to appreciate the diverse cultures and places they have never visited. Capitalizing on capacity building and teaching in this field is thrilling.
    Thank you for making me aware of such a vital topic.

  2. Rodney Smith 5 January, 2017 at 20:24 Reply

    The use of VR highly impacts the student learning process and encourages a robust system that embraces technology. I am expecting a turnaround strategy that involves use of VR that will completely change the educational experiences and mature into something positive.
    I look forward to reading more of your work on this area.

  3. Richard 8 January, 2017 at 23:44 Reply

    I also think that Augmented Reality has a big impact. But not only on how we learn, but also what do we have to learn. Why learn things by Heart, when the many info is provided in context: on the right time, tight place and very intuitive. I made a Vlog about this, maybe interesting. It is in dutch, but it is subbed… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD4_DkBIE7g

  4. How Virtual Reality is Changing Education – The Tech Edvocate - Artificial Reality 20 January, 2017 at 09:32 Reply

    […] How Virtual Reality is Changing Education – The Tech Edvocate […]

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Artificial Intelligence

    The Difference Between AI, Machine Learning And Digital Assistants

  • Artificial Intelligence

    In a World of Artificial Intelligence, Where Does Emotional Intelligence Fit In?

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Schools Are Using AI to Track What Students Write On Their Computers

Search

Registration and Login

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Subscribe to The Edvocate Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidby EmailRSS
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Nonprofit Provides Resources to Help Schools and Districts Tackle Learning Loss

    By Chris Piehler
    March 4, 2021
  • A Guide to Percentile Ranking in Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2021
  • What Is a Rubric?

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2021
  • How to Implement KWL Charts in Your Classroom

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2021
  • What Is Self-Efficacy?

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2021
  • 18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing

    By Matthew Lynch
    April 3, 2017
  • The Top 5 Unexpected Benefits of Early Childhood Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 29, 2016
  • 7 Benefits of STEM Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    January 12, 2019
  • The Dark Side of Educational Technology

    By Matthew Lynch
    October 15, 2016
  • Transformational vs. Contemporary Leadership Styles

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 28, 2016
  • Frank Brown
    on
    March 3, 2021

    18 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing

    Two things, if implemented, ...
  • Making School safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students – White Rose Club
    on
    March 3, 2021

    6 Strategies for Creating a Nurturing Classroom for Your LGBT Students

    […] https://www.theedadvocate.org/6-strategies-creating-nurturing-classroom-lgbt-students- 2/ […]
  • How To Realize Your Dream Of Becoming A Teacher
    on
    March 1, 2021

    Aspiring Teachers: What Age Range Should You Teach?

    […] Edvocate is a ...
  • Distance Learning during the Pandemic: Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. - The Tech Edvocate
    on
    February 25, 2021

    The Ten Characteristics of Teachers Who Successfully Use EdTech

    […] of all, teachers ...
  • on
    February 24, 2021

    Educators: Why You Need To Know About The 1990s And School Restructuring

    So much school reform ...

Ask an Expert

  • Ask An Expert

    How Dumbed Down Education Is Creating a National Security Crisis

    Spread the loveFor the past few decades, our country’s educational system has seen both struggle and tremendous change. With the various ailments plaguing our educational system, education reforms have attempted ...
  • Ask An Expert

    21 Inspirational Quotes That Nelson Mandela Made About Education

    Spread the loveWe all have our heroes. Those human beings that seem larger than life and almost achieve Godlike status. One of my heroes is the late-great Nelson Mandela, who ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyCareer ReadinessChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFirst Year TeachersFreshHigh SchoolK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingParent & Family TechParental InvolvementParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformPreK-12Special EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachers

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 7: How Digital Age Teachers Can Win Over Parents

    Spread the loveEducation is a collaborative process, as it takes many stakeholders working in unison to help students succeed academically. One of the most integral parts of this collaborative team ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...

International Education

  • International Education

    How Can We Improve Teacher Training in the World’s Poorest Countries?

    Spread the loveAccess to education is a basic human right and a subject of importance in every part of the world. The desire and dedication to go to school are ...
  • International Education

    How COVID-19 is Creating a Global Education Crisis

    Spread the loveWhile the novel coronavirus has brought the entire world to a standstill, it’s the education sector that will suffer the most consequences. Almost all across the globe, the ...
  • International Education

    Which Countries Provide Free Education At A University Level?

    Spread the loveAlmost two dozen countries provide free or nearly-free university-level education to their citizens. Some even allow students from other countries to participate in their free education programs; some ...
  • International Education

    Teachers’ Pay Must Be at the Heart of Global Education Reform

    Spread the loveWhile most in the education field believe they are underpaid for the work they do, there are many people who argue that teachers’ pay is fair. Some of ...
  • International Education

    Innovative Approaches to Global Education Challenges

    Spread the loveGlobal education is an ideology that deals with the enhancement of individual perception of the whole world. It is an approach that helps us to become global citizens. ...

Early Childhood Education

  • Early Childhood

    The Importance Of Language In Early Childhood

    Spread the loveIn the past couple of decades, emergent literacy has been largely discussed among experts as one of the most important for later development. Lasting from toddler to preschooler ...
  • Behavior ManagementChild DevelopmentEarly ChildhoodPsychology and Education

    Dealing with Problem Behaviors in a Positive Way

    Spread the loveHandling children that exhibit problem behaviors is a common concern for parents and teachers. There are different ways to correct these behaviors. Some factors to consider are severity, ...
  • Early Childhood

    Promoting Literacy In Early Education

    Spread the loveSince the beginning of time, humans have used vocals and sounds to communicate with each other. As centuries and millennia passed, different languages were developed, and today, being ...
  • Behavior ManagementChild DevelopmentEarly ChildhoodPsychology and Education

    Naturalistic Intervention: Changing Behaviors in the Learner’s Regular Setting

    Spread the loveNaturalistic intervention (NI) is a set of practices, techniques, and strategies designed to bring out a target behavior. This is done in the learner’s normal environment while following ...
  • Child DevelopmentEarly ChildhoodPsychology and Education

    A Guide to Writing Observation Reports

    Spread the loveAn observation report is a piece of document that contains comprehensive information about a child. This document can be used as the basis to assess a child’s overall ...

Gifted and Talented Education

  • Gifted and Talented Education

    All About Child Prodigies

    Spread the loveWhether you are reading this article as a student, parent, or educator, you have undoubtedly heard about the term child prodigy at least once in your lifetime. Although ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    The Edvocate’s Guide to Working With Twice-Exceptional Students

    Spread the loveTwice-exceptional is a term used to explain kids who have exceptional talents in some educational areas and challenges in others. In some instances, a twice-exceptional learner could theoretically ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    Implementing Curriculum Compacting in Your Classroom

    Spread the loveAll educators agree that differentiating instruction for students is very important. Yet, many districts cannot put this policy into practice. An almost unlimited amount of remedial curricular content ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    What Does Academic Enrichment Involve?

    Spread the loveAcademic enrichment activities in the class can take numerous forms and do not always involve prescribed lessons from the curriculum. Enrichment encourages learners to take a more expansive ...
  • Gifted and Talented Education

    What is Academic Enrichment?

    Spread the loveSome learners struggle to keep up in class. Other learners have the opposite challenge. For some learners, their learning moves through content too slowly, causing a lack of ...

Black Boys in Crisis Series

  • Black Boys in Crisis

    The Importance of Mentoring Young African-American Males

    Spread the loveTeachers need to realize that at home, in their neighborhoods, and in school, many students face difficulties that can interfere with learning. Compared to their middle-class counterparts, it ...
  • Black Boys in CrisisDiversityEquity

    7 Ways That Black Students are Discriminated Against in U.S K-12 Schools

    Spread the loveAfrican Africans have a long history of being mistreated in the United States, starting with slavery. It should come as no surprise that their children face the same ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital LeadershipDisabilitiesEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationK-12Online Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 6: 8 Ways That Digital Age Teachers Avoid Burning Out

    Spread the loveBeing a teacher is a tough job. So much so, many new teachers end up leaving the field within their first three years. To ensure that the next ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssessmentAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementCurrent Ed NewsDigital LeadershipEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEdTech Startups & BusinessesEducation LeadershipEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGamificationGifted and Talented EducationHBCU'sHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Matthew LynchModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningOpEducationPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformRetention & Social Promotion SeriesSpecial EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTestingYear-Round Schooling

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 5: The Archetype of a Great Teacher

    Spread the loveOne of the questions that I am frequently asked is, what does a good teacher look like? I respond by mentioning my 10th-grade Biology teacher, Mrs. Minor, and ...
  • Ask An ExpertAssistive TechnologyBlack Boys in CrisisBullyingChild DevelopmentChild Development TechClassroom ManagementDisabilitiesDiversityEarly ChildhoodEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformEducation LeadershipElementary EducationElementary SchoolEquityFeaturedFirst Year TeachersFreshGifted and Talented EducationHigh SchoolHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechK-12Middle SchoolModern ParentingOnline Learning & eLearningParent & Family TechParentingPersonalized LearningPodcastPolicy & ReformSecondary EducationSTEMTeacher EducationTeachersTesting

    The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 4: How to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom

    Spread the loveBuilding a culturally responsive classroom is hard. To help you along your journey, here is your guide to exploring and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students while ...

RSS Matthew on Education Week

  • Au Revoir from Education Futures November 20, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • 6 Steps to Data-Driven Literacy Instruction October 17, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Four Keys to a Modern IT Approach in K-12 Schools October 2, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • What's the Difference Between Burnout and Demoralization, and What Can Teachers Do About It? September 27, 2018 Matthew Lynch
  • Revisiting Using Edtech for Bullying and Suicide Prevention September 10, 2018 Matthew Lynch

About Us

The Edvocate was created in 2014 to argue for shifts in education policy and organization in order to enhance the quality of education and the opportunities for learning afforded to P-20 students in America. What we envisage may not be the most straightforward or the most conventional ideas. We call for a relatively radical and certainly quite comprehensive reorganization of American’s P-20 system.

That reorganization, though, and the underlying effort, will have much to do with reviving the American education system, and reviving a national love of learning.  The Edvocate plans to be one of key architects of this revival, as it continues to advocate for education reform, equity, and innovation.

Newsletter

Signup for The Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in P-20 education news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact

The Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright (c) 2021 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.