Why Virtual Reality?

Why Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality (VR) is interesting, new, and different, but what value does it have for teaching and learning?

VR is a technology that creates a new environment for the user. In this new environment, the user interacts with surroundings to complete tasks, play games, or engage in experiences. Here's the cool part: in virtual reality, we can create activities that remove the consequences of real life. In virtual reality, the focus can remain on learning the skill.

Here is a quick example. When a person is making his cereal for breakfast, he pours the cereal into the bowl. He pours the milk over the cereal. If he pours too much of either ingredient, the experience now includes cleaning up. In VR, he can experience thousands of learning situations without consequences, distractions, or feedback that eclipses the learning experience.

If the goal is to complete the task to a level of independence or interdependence that works for him, VR can help.

The opportunities are endless for VR as a teaching and learning tool, making any task more engaging and higher-level problem-solving activities more readily available.

We haven't kept it a secret. Minds Untapped will offer activities in virtual reality as an extension to Blue Hope. While it isn't ready yet, we will keep you informed.

We can't wait either.