A highly versatile technology, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) initially focused more on STEM subjects but is now being applied in Art, English, and even Social Studies and History.
What’s behind this trend of AR/VR being integrated into K-12 content areas? Research by Dr. Rebecca Hite (Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Texas Tech University), illustrates the impact of Augmented and Virtual Reality on students studying the human heart. Not only did their understanding of cardiac physiology, function, and circulation deepen, they asked 36% more higher level questions after their AR/VR learning experiences.
Hite explains that virtual environments are active - students have to ask questions and perform actions in order to advance through the content. They become incredibly engaged in their learning, and their ability to actually manipulate the content helps to deepen understanding. Students in her research had a strong preference for AR/VR over less engaging means of learning (e.g., textbooks, physical models) as a way to deepen their understanding.
Historical Objects in a Virtual World: Bringing Museum Exhibits to Life
Inspired by Hite’s research, The Museum of Texas Tech University is now using AR/VR to bring historical exhibits to life. This has improved the quality of their galleries and visitor experiences. By combining 3D scanning and zSpace, they can create virtual models of any physical object - Native American pottery, dinosaur specimens, and animals, to name a few!
Visitors can then engage with the virtual models which provide additional context about the actual exhibits. Because AR/VR allows them to interact directly with and study the exhibits in a more engaging and exciting way, visitors tend to spend an extra 6 minutes in these AR/VR enhanced galleries and are often eager to share their learning experience with others.
For the inside scoop on bringing the past to life, watch this webinar or download this whitepaper.
“The incorporation of AR/VR can transform history and social studies study from an explanation-based to an inquiry-based experience for students.” - Danielle Marshall (Education Program Coordinator, Museum of Texas Tech University)
The museum’s method of bringing exhibits to life using 3D scanning and AR/VR is being used in social studies and history classes, giving students a hands-on approach to learning about the past. Augmented and Virtual Reality is an additional tool for teachers to inspire curiosity in students, and even those who are less tech-savvy can benefit because it is easy to use. For an on-site demo of bringing the past to life through AR/VR, click below!