Here at Global Knowledge we offer a vast selection of online learning methods, but one group of students in the U.S. are exploring the implementation of virtual reality programmes. Learn all about the project and what it could mean for the future of online learning, here.
Integrated Virtual Reality and Distance Education Courses
A group of engineering students at Penn State University, PA, USA, have created a way of making online learning more personal using virtual reality tools. With funding from the Centre for Online Innovation in Learning, the team have been working with tech, such as the Oculus Rift IVR headset, and their own creations like a haptic glove to make this new reality possible.
Slip on the headset and glove and you will be transported into an immersive, 3D world. This could be a traditional classroom scene, a conference hall or any setting the programmer creates. Students could even be transported back in time to study history or under the sea to learn about marine life. The possibilities are endless.
That’s the beauty of virtual reality. It can be applied to any subject, in any industry, anywhere by anyone. It just has to be programmed in the first place. Of course, all of these options do tend to fall under a select few headings though, such as games based learning, virtual assessment or 3D visualisation.
The project is still in prototype phase, but what’s next for the team? Taking over the world, of course. They would like to work with students internationally in other institutions to further test and develop their virtualisation theories. And that’s not as hard as it sounds. Oculus Rift allows you to sync with other devices, regardless of where they are in the world. That means multiple students can work on the same project at the same time.
Why Virtualisation?
Conrad Tucker, Assistant Professor of Design and Industrial Engineering at Penn State, has said,
“Online learning gives us huge opportunities in higher education. You can connect with more diverse people across greater distances, for example,”
“But online courses also limit you in some ways — there’s little immersive or tactile interaction […] IVR [Immersive Virtual Reality] systems are a potential solution to that problem,” he continues.
“When you see how student performance improves while using the device, it shows you how much potential it has to enhance online learning.”
Well, we haven’t got our own virtual learning headsets or haptic gloves yet, but we do offer a blended approach to online distance education. Whether you prefer real classroom or online classroom training, community learning portals or interactive self-paced e-learning content we have an option for you. Check out our delivery methods here.
Read more:
Is Gamification the Future of Virtual Learning?
VMWare vs. Citrix: The Virtualisation Battle
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