Field trips have always been an entertaining way to learn. They give students an opportunity to leave the four walls of the classroom and look at the world with fresh eyes. Yet not every school can afford to take frequent field trips. Maybe travel is too expensive, or destinations you want to visit are too far. This is where Extended Reality (XR) comes into play as the system combines Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). Students are now able to take digital journeys without ever having to leave their school using these tools.
What is Extended Reality?
Extended Reality is an umbrella term to describe everything from virtual worlds created by computers that are designed to feel real, all the way down to specific flavors such as AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality).
- Virtual Reality (VR) – Forms an entirely virtual world. If students slip on a headset, they can be in a museum, the forest or even in outer space.
- Augmented Reality (AR): Superimposes digital objects over the real world. For instance, as students hold a tablet over a textbook, a 3D dinosaur could materialize on the page.
- Mixed Reality (MR): a deep blend of the two. It enables the students to engage with digital items as they would tangible objects.
Why Use XR for Field Trips?
The timing, cost and location make it difficult for schools to organize traditional field trips. But XR field trips break down these barriers.
- Cheap: Schools don’t have to shell out for transportation or entry.
- Safe: Students can take virtual risks in hazardous locales such as volcanoes or deep oceans.
- Accessible: Students in rural villages have the opportunity to travel to famous landmarks.
Repeatable: You can take trips as many times as you want, so students have a chance to revise and learn better.
Examples of XR Field Trips
1. History Lessons: Students can walk inside the pyramids of Egypt and / or the forts in Rajasthan.
2. Discovery in Science: Visit the solar system, or delve inside human cells and even marine life deep inside the ocean.
3. Culture: Go to dance festivals or visit heritage sites.
4. Career Exposure: Enter a hospital, factory or space station to view various careers.
Benefits for Teachers and Students
- Increased Engagement: Students are more engaged when learning in 3D worlds.
- Better memory: Pictorial and physical learning are a great way to aid in retention.
- Equal Opportunity: Even struggling schools have world-class experiences.
Flexibility: There are a wide variety of apps for teachers to pick from, and they can even plan their own bespoke trips for the class.
Challenges of XR Field Trips
For all its potential, XR has a few challenges.
- Cost of Devices: The VR and AR devices are costly.
- Teacher Training: Teachers must learn how to use the technology.
- Digital Divide: Not all schools have similar access to fast internet, or devices.
The Future of XR in Education
The future looks bright. Tech companies are developing inexpensive devices and more apps. Streaming XR content will also make streaming match the advent of 5G internet. And in the years ahead, XR field trips could be as ubiquitous as projectors and smartboards in schools.
FAQs:
Q1: Are XR field trips superior to IRL field trips?
Not always. Bite6Walking along the boardwalk, starting discussions and closing deals in whatever comes. But when travel is impossible, XR excursions will do.
Q2: Do students require specific headsets for XR field trips?
For VR the answer is yes, as you’ll need a headset. A tablet or smartphone is adequate for AR.
Q3: Is XR safe for children?
Is it safe to use for short periods? Schools would need to adhere to age recommendations for VR headsets.
Q4: Can XR field trips substitute for teachers?
No, XR is a teaching aid. They help lead students and give learning relevance.
Q5: What are the cost considerations for schools to initiate XR field trips?
Prices vary based on selected devices. Some apps even have free XR experiences that you can download and use with regular phones.