10 Reasons to Use Augmented and Virtual Reality in K-12 Classrooms

With Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) on the rise in STEM programs, K-12 students of all levels are now bringing possibility to things that were previously impossible in traditional classrooms, in addition to making real-world connections in unprecedented ways. Gathering feedback from K-12 students about their AR/VR experiences is one way Angel Wilson (STEM Center Facilitator, Phenix City Schools) ensures they remain highly engaged in their learning and identifies areas for improvement in their STEM Center’s AR/VR capabilities.

In her article, Ten Reasons to Use AR and VR in the Classroom, Ms. Wilson highlights key elements behind the success of AR/VR at the Dyer Family STEM Center in terms of boosting student engagement, developing soft skills, and minimizing the costs and risks of experiments.

1. Outstanding visualizations
   • Students can examine and manipulate thousands of virtual models in vivid detail, and gain exposure to realistic simulations of various phenomena
2. Curiosity and wonder
   • AR/VR piques students’ curiosity and tends to inspire them to research a topic more deeply and/or draw connections to real-world situations
3. Career exploration
   • Experiences in AR/VR exposes students to careers (even ones that do not exist yet), helping them discover their passions and sharpening hands-on skills. 
4. Engagement
   • The ability to dive deeper, manipulate virtual models in creative ways, and build their own designs and experiments keeps students highly motivated and engaged.
5. Doesn’t seem like work
   • Immersive learning experiences through AR/VR gives students the feeling of “playing” - learning by exploration and discovery is a lot of FUN!
6. Collaboration
   • Students often explore AR/VR lessons in pairs or teams, and work together with one another and with teachers to communicate ideas and solve problems.
7. Free to make mistakes
   • A virtual environment makes students fearless - they take risks and learn from mistakes without the stress (and cost) of restarting a real experiment.
8. Eliminates potentially hazardous or costly experiments
   • Designing a roller coaster or dissecting a heart is impossible in traditional classrooms but can be done with AR/VR.
9. Increases critical thinking
   • A virtual setting challenges students to test hypotheses to arrive at authentic conclusions, and elicits more “What If?” questions from students.
10. Promotes empathy
    • AR/VR lets students walk in the shoes of another person, fostering empathy and helping them understand different people and cultures in humanizing ways.

Catch speakers from Phenix City Schools and the inside scoop on integrating AR/VR into a STEM Center in Full STEAM Ahead: Initiating or Supporting a STEAM Program with AR/VR.

Take a quick video tour of AR/VR for STEM, download our Overview of STEM Learning Applications, and feel free to schedule an on-site demo customized to your specific programs!