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By Sher Ali Imtiaz, Lecturer in Business, FSB Digbeth

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step into a virtual world where learning goes beyond the pages of a textbook and becomes an experience you can immerse yourself in?

Imagine a world where, instead of just studying business theories or healthcare practices from a textbook, you could immerse yourself in a simulated environment where every decision has real-world consequences. This is the future of higher education with Virtual Reality (VR), where learning is not just observed but experienced.

In the past few years, VR has truly stepped into the spotlight as a transformative tool in education, particularly at the higher education level. This cutting-edge technology offers immersive, hands-on experiences that traditional teaching methods can’t replicate. As colleges and universities aim to provide the most enriching learning experiences possible, VR is fast becoming an indispensable resource for boosting student engagement, comprehension, and knowledge retention.

Educational institutions committed to staying at the forefront of technology are actively exploring how VR can be integrated into their curricula. For instance, At FSB, we have made strides with projects like the “Nobody’s Listening” VR experience, which immerses students in the harrowing realities faced by the Yazidi community. By actively incorporating VR into our teaching methods, we are preparing our students to face real-world challenges with innovative solutions.

Increasing Engagement and Sparking Motivation

One of the standout advantages of VR in higher education is its remarkable ability to capture students’ attention and drive their motivation. While traditional lectures and textbook learning have their merits, keeping students fully engaged all of the time can be a challenge in today’s digital world. VR, on the other hand, creates dynamic learning environments that draw students in, making them active participants rather than passive listeners.

Our recent VR initiatives educate students about human rights but it also places them in the shoes of those who have experienced atrocities firsthand. Such immersive experiences are invaluable in fostering empathy and deep understanding among students.

Take a business management student, for example. Instead of just reading about corporate strategies, they can dive headfirst into a virtual business simulation. Here, they get to make decisions, manage teams, and see the direct impact of their choices, all in real time. This kind of hands-on experience is invaluable and brings the complexities of running a company to life. Similarly, a health and social care student might find themselves interacting with virtual patients in a simulated clinical setting. This offers a safe space to practice communication, diagnosis, and care planning without the risks that come with real-life scenarios (Radianti et al., 2020; Freina and Ott, 2015).

This immersive level of engagement is crucial in higher education, where a deep understanding of complex subjects is key. VR not only makes learning more engaging but also enhances motivation and participation, leading to better academic outcomes. Research consistently shows that the interactive nature of VR significantly boosts student engagement, which naturally translates into improved learning results (Radianti et al., 2020). We are continually exploring further opportunities to incorporate VR across various disciplines, ensuring that our students benefit from the most advanced educational tools available.

Bringing Learning to Life: The Power of Experiential Education

Experiential learning — learning through direct experience — has always been a core component of higher education. VR takes this concept to the next level, offering simulations and virtual experiences that might otherwise be out of reach due to financial, geographical, or safety concerns.

Consider medical students, who can now use VR to practice surgeries in a completely risk-free environment. This type of simulation is priceless for developing the practical skills required in the medical field (Parong and Mayer, 2018). Engineering students, on the other hand, can create and test virtual prototypes of machinery or structures, experimenting with designs without the need to build costly physical models.

The magic of VR lies in its ability to create lifelike, immersive experiences that make learning far more tangible. By engaging with course material in a practical way, students can more effectively understand and apply theoretical concepts, enhancing both their knowledge base and critical thinking skills (Parong and Mayer, 2018).

Tailoring Education: Personalised and Inclusive Learning

One of the most exciting aspects of VR in higher education is its ability to offer personalised and inclusive learning experiences. Let’s face it: not every student learns in the same way, and traditional teaching methods can often struggle to cater to these differences. VR, however, can be adapted to fit the individual needs of each student, offering tailored learning experiences that align with their unique learning styles and paces.

For instance, a student who finds traditional lectures challenging might benefit immensely from VR’s visual and interactive content, which can make difficult concepts more digestible. On the flip side, a student who excels in a particular subject might use VR to explore advanced topics at their speed, free from the constraints of the standard curriculum (Liu et al., 2020).

Moreover, VR is a game-changer when it comes to inclusivity. It provides alternative ways for students with disabilities to engage with course material. For example, VR can offer visual and auditory enhancements to assist students with hearing or visual impairments, ensuring that they too can fully participate in their education (Sanchez et al., 2019). This flexibility makes VR an incredibly powerful tool for promoting inclusivity in higher education, ensuring that all students have access to top-quality learning experiences, no matter their abilities.

Overcoming Distance and Cost Barriers

Higher education often involves experiences that are restricted by geographical and financial limitations. Field trips, study abroad opportunities, and internships are invaluable but often out of reach for many students. VR offers a unique solution by providing virtual alternatives that are just as enriching.

For instance, a student studying marine biology might virtually explore coral reefs, even if they live miles from the nearest ocean. Similarly, students with an interest in international business can take part in virtual internships with companies across the globe, gaining valuable global experience without ever needing to travel (Radianti et al., 2020).

These virtual experiences are particularly beneficial in fields where real-world exposure is essential but difficult to obtain. By eliminating the barriers of location and cost, VR democratizes access to these opportunities, enabling more students to benefit from them.

Navigating the Challenges of VR in Education

While the advantages of VR in higher education are compelling, integrating this technology is not without its challenges. One of the primary hurdles is the cost of VR equipment and software, which can be steep for some institutions. However, as VR technology advances and becomes more widespread, these costs are likely to drop, making it more accessible to a broader range of universities and colleges (Hamilton et al., 2021).

Another significant challenge is ensuring that educators are properly trained to use VR effectively in their teaching. Without adequate training, the full potential of VR may not be realized, and the technology could be underused. Therefore, higher education institutions must invest in professional development programs that equip faculty members to integrate VR seamlessly into their curricula (Hamilton et al., 2021).

There are also concerns about the possible side effects of prolonged VR use, such as motion sickness. Educators need to be mindful of these risks and ensure that VR is used appropriately, with students’ well-being as a priority.

The Future of VR in Higher Education

As VR technology continues to evolve, its role in higher education is only set to grow. Future advancements might include more sophisticated simulations, enhanced accessibility features, and even the integration of artificial intelligence to create highly personalised learning experiences.

The potential for VR to revolutionise higher education is enormous. By providing immersive, engaging, and practical learning experiences, VR can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world. As universities and colleges continue to explore the possibilities of VR, it’s clear that this technology will be a key player in the future of education.

While challenges remain, the benefits of VR in higher education are undeniable. By embracing this technology, institutions can offer students learning experiences that are not only more engaging and effective but also more inclusive and accessible. Looking forward, VR has the potential to reshape the way we teach and learn, making higher education more dynamic, interactive, and impactful than ever before. By embracing VR, educational institutions can offer students learning experiences that are not only more engaging and effective but also more inclusive and accessible.  

References

Freina, L., & Ott, M. (2015). A literature review on immersive virtual reality in education: State of the art and perspectives. The International Scientific Conference eLearning and Software for Education, 1, 133-141.

Hamilton, D., McKechnie, J., Edgerton, E., & Wilson, C. (2021). Immersive virtual reality as a pedagogical tool in education: a systematic literature review of quantitative learning outcomes and experimental design. Journal of Computers in Education, 8(1), 1-32.

Liu, D., Dede, C., Huang, R., & Richards, J. (2020). Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Realities in Education. Springer.

Parong, J., & Mayer, R. E. (2018). Learning science in immersive virtual reality. Journal of Educational Psychology, 110(6), 785-797.

Radianti, J., Majchrzak, T. A., Fromm, J., & Wohlgenannt, I. (2020). A systematic review of immersive virtual reality applications for higher education: Design elements, lessons learned, and research agenda. Computers & Education, 147, 103778.

Sanchez, A. V., Barreiro, J. M., & Maojo, V. (2019). Virtual Reality and Learning: Trends and Issues. Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine, 17, 123-127.