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Improvements in digital technology accessible today to promote learning are among the most dramatic advances and have led to significant changes in many areas of our lives. Education is one of many sectors that have undergone significant changes due to the use of such technology. Technology is a great tool for both physical and digital transformation, changing the way children learn.
As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded in 2020, technology became critical and its importance increased significantly.
During this period, the function of technology in education became critical, and it currently provides and promotes collaboration between institutions, students, and instructors. As the restrictions of the pandemic take effect, personal and virtual connections connect individuals through the use of new educational tools.
As groceries, appointments and other tasks moved online, technology harmonized physical distance, but boundaries remained. At the same time, schools have had to rely on technology and switch to online learning to maintain ties and focus on students’ educational needs.
As the intensity of the pandemic eases, institutions have embraced new digital technology in new or new ways, enabling everyone to interact with others while embracing myriad new platforms. There are several ways in which digital technology can aid learning in diverse environments. New technologies are constantly being created, and as more higher education institutions adopt them, they can be used efficiently to boost learning and connect people, redefining the role of technology in education.
Today’s many types of technology are transforming learning in all its forms. Recent technological breakthroughs in all areas have enabled others to develop new methods of connecting people despite physical distance, particularly in the education sector. The reliance on technology has shifted and there are now technology-driven solutions that combine the real and digital worlds. This is made possible by emerging and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR). The use of extended reality technologies has grown significantly, and such technology provides an immensely immersive experience that allows larger audiences to interact with each other.
AI and virtual reality are driving higher levels of connection and communication, increasing innovative approaches to education. Virtual reality and other similar technology introduced a new way of learning both inside and outside the classroom. It is no surprise that there is a favorable attitude towards it, with an increasing number of institutions adopting and embracing new methods of teaching and learning through these evolving technologies.
The future question is not whether or not XR technology will be used in higher education, but to what extent. The use of augmented reality in higher education will transform student engagement and success by making certain fields of study easier to understand.
XR technologies are becoming more common and more colleges and universities are integrating such capabilities into their classrooms. These technologies can be used to bridge the gap between in-person and virtual learning, by impacting and changing the way students learn for the better.
Using an interactive approach, immersive technologies debug traditional learning techniques while increasing student engagement and retention.
Products are becoming more and more advanced. Certain sophisticated machines, such as jet engines and steam turbines, can be difficult to examine and understand simply by looking at sheets of paper. A printout of such complicated gear would be intimidating.
How can one impart accurate knowledge about such skin colors in their physical form to the classroom? They can overcome the difficulties students may have in mastering complicated subjects by using extended reality technology, which allows them to better visualize and access previously inaccessible experiences.
Higher education institutions can support the use of XR technologies both on and off campus. These immersive digital technologies will help foster student engagement and interactive learning materials, as well as deepen student knowledge and facilitate engagement on complicated topics.
Organizations using XR technology should implement the following best practices.
1. Develop a clear strategy for integrating XR technology into your institution’s programs and courses. State the goals, objectives and outcomes they hope to achieve through the use of XR technology.
2. Identify specific use cases where XR technology can be used to improve teaching and learning.
3. Invest in the necessary infrastructure to support the use of XR technology, such as VR headsets, as well as software and platforms.
4. Provide training and support for faculty and staff.
5. Encourage collaboration to encourage the development and sharing of XR content and ideas.
6. When developing XR content, prioritizing accessibility ensures that it is inclusive and can be used by all learners, regardless of ability.
7. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of XR technology in achieving goals and objectives, such as collecting data on student engagement and satisfaction.
Not sure where to start with XR? Start with these mindset changes and first steps.
1. Adopt an innovative mindset and be willing to experiment with new technologies and teaching methods.
2. Encourage collaboration to bring together different perspectives and expertise in the development and implementation of XR technology.
3. Start with small projects to test the waters and gain experience with XR technology before scaling up.
4. Get feedback to ensure the use of XR technology meets their needs and expectations.
5. Keep up to date with the latest developments in XR technology.
Extended reality is limitless and can cover any topic imaginable, improve teaching effectiveness and highlight the importance of interactive technology in the education sector. Some universities have already successfully implemented this technology and change the way students learn and solve the need to have complex machines at home.
Source: Forbes Technology Council
