7 Things You Should Know About AR/VR/MR

Link https://library.educause.edu/resources/2017/10/7-things-you-should-know-about-ar-vr-mr

Posted: Tuesday, October 3, 2017; Briefs, Case Studies, Papers, Reports

Sources(s): EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) Collection(s): ELI 7 Things You Should Know

This article really opens up what these technology terms mean. A lot of people really don’t understand what Augmented reality, Virtual reality or indeed Mixed reality actually means.

The article breaks the meanings of the above down to 7 areas, outlining that this is what you need to know.

It’s with no doubt that this new technology has significant implications for new teaching and learning opportunities within a whole range of subject areas. I for one am very interested in this type of technology to further improve my own teaching and to make it help in the learning of my students.

The article outlines this by indicating that students of Atherton’s undergraduate school of arts and science have opportunities for learning using virtual reality. These students are take on virtual field trips of important archeological sites and this is now being embedded within the curriculum as standard.

As outlined VR (virtual reality can be used in many different disciplines from deep sea diving marine biologists to astronomy students viewing the solar system. The article outline VR’s significance in the health industry and how this is changing how medical and nursing students are learning using holographic videos.

1. The first of the 7 things you should know talks about What it is- new opportunities to create a psychological sense of being total immersed in what you’re doing using VR. It goes on to brief outline the difference between VR, AR and MR.
2. The second thing you should know in this article talks about How does it work? – tools and how you could view digital information without pausing or stopping while you’re doing something specific or important.
3. The third thing you should know about indicates Who’s doing it? – this is very interesting as it goes into what universities around the world are using this technology within various projects they are involved with.
4. The forth thing you should know about is – Why it’s significant? – Here the article outlines AR, VR and MR as part of the evolution of computing with huge significance of the internet and the new devices that we use. This also extends to allow access for anyone anywhere to experience a totally rich and deep immersive learning experience.
5. The fifth thing you should know – What are the downsides? – The article rightly outlines that very little research has been done regarding the most effective ways to use these technologies and I would agree with this. This in itself has implications for colleges to invest in VR. AR and MR equipment with the lack of standards also being an issue.
6. The sixth thing you should know – Where is this going? – The positive thing about VR, AV, MR is that it is developing at a rapid pace and the cost is reducing with each new generation, it’s now more ubiquitous and accessible. Continuing research is ongoing with emerging applications for gaming, the business world and health care. As the technology becomes more affordable we’ll see more college adopting this type of learning aids.
7. Finally the seventh thing you should know is – What are the implications for teaching and learning – The article outlines that VR, AR and MR can enhance teaching allowing learners to experience reality from multiple perspectives. This can then lead to experiences with task based learning and problem based learning, simulations and well as game based learning and this may lead students to be much more active in their learning creating a deeper understanding.