Things You Need to Know About Immersive Learning

The development of computer-based technologies has already made great changes both in the production sector of the economy and in everyday life. Of course, though being a conservative sphere of life, education couldn’t stand apart from those changes.

Teachers, scientists, and governments worldwide have already achieved significant success in implementing computer-based technologies into the process of teaching. Internet projects, Web-Quests, virtual excursions, e-learning, etc., are only some of those technologies to mention.

These new technologies revolutionize the process of teaching and learning by changing the roles of educators and their students. Instead of being instructors only, teachers are becoming facilitators and assistants, while students are taking more responsibility for their studying.

COVID-19 pandemic has also forced educators to experiment more with different software and online platforms to better distance learning. The good outcome of the situation is that educators will certainly continue using new technologies after having tried them.

However, among all the computer-based educational technologies, there is one that stands out. By now, it’s not widely used, but it’s the one that definitely has a great future. It’s immersive learning.

Some Important Facts About Immersive Learning

Immersive learning is a type of virtual reality environment where learners can train their skills and apply their theoretical knowledge to get different outcomes depending on their actions. You can learn more about the origin of immersive learning by purchasing a research paper from one of the paper writing services with quality writers.

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Anyway, coming back to the point, the actual technologies implemented in immersive learning are the following:

Virtual Reality: Using VR headsets and hand controllers, learners get immersed into a virtual world where they can fulfill several practical tasks or practice and acquire new skills.
Augmented Reality: Due to this technology, the real world is blended with some virtual or digital content. Using smartphones or tablets, learners can access the content where digital assets can be of different forms (flat, 2D, or 3D). Well-known examples of this technology are Pokémon Go and Snapchat filters.
Mixed Reality: This technology has features of augmented and virtual reality. Mixed reality allows digital and physical objects to co-exist and interact in real-time
360-Degree Videos: Also known as immersive videos, this technology uses video recordings with a view in every direction that is usually filmed live. Using VR headsets, learners are immersed in the offered reality. They can see it through the eyes of the filmmaker. It’s a great way to visit, for example, museums on a virtual field trip or “go” to some faraway exotic places.

Advantages of Immersive Learning for Students and Educators

Immersive learning is an innovative educational technology that has a lot of advantages. Let’s consider some of them:

Learners use all their senses while fulfilling the given tasks. It is especially beneficial for students who prefer visual and kinesthetic styles of learning. Scientists claim that people tend to accept virtual reality as a real one. So, learners, being immersed into such a reality, get absolutely involved in the offered activities.
Students are fulfilling their tasks in a distraction-free world. No kids are yelling outside, and your phone doesn’t receive constant notifications. Instead, you have a world around you that looks so real, and you can see the outcome of all your actions.
Learners can experience staying in exotic and dangerous environments that are, in reality, safe for them. In virtual reality, you can feel safe while walking in the jungles or mixing chemicals that might explode.
Students can repeat specific actions in an environment that looks like a real-world until they get the required skill. It opens incredible possibilities for training different professionals.
Learners can study at their own pace. Immersive learning technologies allow learners to repeat actions if necessary or go ahead if they have achieved mastery. Besides, students get more motivated to study as they understand the importance of theoretical knowledge while doing practical, so close to real-life tasks.

Things to Remember When Using Immersive Learning

Immersive learning technologies provide great innovative changes in teaching and learning. But, while using them, educators should consider certain points:

Before using immersive technologies, an educator should evaluate whether their usage will be reasonable and effective. Besides, it’s necessary to choose what immersive technology will better suit your learners. It’s good to remember that the activity shouldn’t be too long. Twenty or thirty minutes long activities will help the students stay concentrated.
An educator should provide the learners with instructions on what should be done and how. In some cases, a friendly avatar created by the teacher might prompt the students what to do.
Before an educator and their students get experience in using immersive technologies, they should pay special attention to planning the activities.

To Sum Up

Immersive learning being an innovative computer-based technology can be implemented in four different ways: virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and 360-degree videos. It still needs more scientific research as for the methods of its usage. However, such research will definitely be done in the future, and both teaching and learning will change a lot. Immersive learning can’t replace all other educational approaches and technologies, but it compliments them a lot.

Likewise, consider reading about “Hybrid Learning & Gamified Learning” as well.