After moving to the UK and attending Birkbeck University of London and then the Open University in the 2010s, I noticed some changes, but not as many as you might think. Sure, we had PowerPoint to present our ideas, and we occasionally watched videos, but the core of learning still revolved around traditional methods. Augmented Reality /Virtual Reality technology, which is now on the brink of transforming education, was then just a distant concept.
This journey through different educational landscapes has shown me that the real challenge isn't just in acknowledging that AR/VR can be beneficial, but in finding ways to integrate these technologies into learning environments effectively. It’s about building confidence among users — students and educators alike — and knowing when and how to apply these tools to enhance learning outcomes. As we discuss the potential of modern educational tools like AR and VR, let’s explore how we can transition from the familiar world of PowerPoint and textbooks to the immersive and interactive possibilities offered by new technology, ensuring that we use each tool appropriately to maximise its benefits.
The allure of VR/AR: fun and interactive
VR and AR turn learning into an interactive experience. Imagine learning about the Roman Empire by walking through virtual ancient Rome or exploring the human body in 3D. These technologies make you feel like you're part of the lesson, which can make learning a lot more exciting.
Why stick with PowerPoint?
Despite the excitement around VR and AR, PowerPoint has its own strengths. It’s simple, clear, and gets the job done. Studies, like one from Jocelyn Parong and Richard E. Mayer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, show that students can actually learn better from a well-made PowerPoint than from a VR session. The structure and straightforward information help students remember and understand better. (Source)
The study mentioned earlier also found something interesting: while VR made learning more fun and engaging, it didn’t always improve test scores. However, when VR lessons were broken into parts with summaries, students not only enjoyed learning but also remembered more. This tells us that mixing old and new methods — like using both VR and PowerPoint — might be the best way to both excite and educate students.
The choice between PowerPoint and VR/AR depends on what you need:
- Complex topics: If the topic is complex or abstract, VR/AR can make it easier to understand by letting you explore it in a hands-on way.
- Focus on remembering: If you need to make sure students remember the information, PowerPoint’s clear and direct format might work better.
- What’s available: not everyone has access to fancy VR gear, so PowerPoint can be a more practical choice in many situations.
Blending the Best of Both
Looking ahead, the goal isn’t to pick one tool over the other, but to use both in ways that make learning better. By combining the excitement of VR with the clarity of PowerPoint, we can give students both fun and understanding. Let’s be thoughtful about how we use technology in education. It’s not about chasing the latest gadget but about finding new ways to make learning better. We should pick technologies like VR not just because they’re cool, but because they add real value to education.
