Why VR? - Virtual Reality (VR) | Meta Quest 2 - LibGuides at San Antonio College

Virtual Environments

Technology has grown to become one of the most important parts of our everyday lives, and it will continue to shape and transform the way that information is being taught. The cutting-edge technology of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and 360^o videos are rapidly transforming the educational system while providing students with invaluable tools to help better prepare them for their future careers. These technologies provide educators with a safe, convenient, and low-cost environment in which learners can practice and develop new skills and knowledge through a fully immersive experience (Huang & Liaw, 2018).

Scholars indicate that the benefits of using these technologies in the classroom are great and can help to combat some of the challenges that educators face today. For example, Hu-Au & Lee (2017) discuss how VR can:

Lead to increased learner engagement
Provide active, constructivist learning
Increase frequency of authentic learning experiences
Allow for empathetic experiences
Enable learners to exercise creativity and
Provide an arena for visualizing abstract concepts concretely

credit: Univ. of South Carolina Center for Teaching Excellence

What is VR?

VR (Virtual Reality)

Virtual Reality are computer generated environments with an intent to replace the real world environment (that you exist in) with a simulated environment. (More)

AR (Augmented Reality)

Augmented reality, like virtual reality, are also computer generated environments but with an intent to enhance the perception of the real world environment, rather than replacing it.