The way we teach our children is always evolving and changing. However, the past several decades have been particularly progressive in this department. Technology is to blame here. Of course, throughout time, education has always depended on innovations but yet, in the last couple of decades, technology like VR(Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) has completely changed how we perceive education, but it has both its pros and cons…
Pros of VR, AR and MR Technology
Technology innovations like VR, AR and MR allow teachers to show educational content in a whole new way. While you once had to look at pictures of what it was like in Roman days, you can now be transported there and see, even feel what life was like. If virtual reality allows anything it is a true scale of size and you can see just how grand ancient buildings were when they didn’t even have machines like cranes to help them build them.
Another pro is that the technology is so much cheaper now! With VR now mostly affordable and AR soon to follow these amazing technologies will soon be in schools and colleges all over the world and not just in richer countries, but poorer ones as the costs trickle lower and lower.
Technologies have become a crucial part of our future. They won’t go anywhere and will continue to advance and root into our daily lives. So, children should learn about technologies from a young age. Thus, they get adjusted to operating with whatever new piece of technology they are presented with. Of course, such quick adaptability will help them in the future when they need to use technology for professional purposes. Introducing children to the tech world while still in school is a great way to prepare them for adult life. They get to develop the necessary computer skills and learn how to complete at least some of the basic tasks on the computer. Besides, schools can also teach children about mindful and careful use of the Internet, which is important for their safety and mental health.
Cons of VR, AR and MR Technology
Sadly the truth is working exclusively in VR is still not that practical. Sure, you can write all your essays and worksheets in VR, but it is far easier to take the headset off and do it on a 2D screen. Thanks to virtual keyboards this has become a little more possible, but we are still far from Meta’s dream of having everyone working in the Metaverse. Websites like Writepaperfor.me can do that homework for you, but that is not an option for everyone.
Sadly this technology has also brought a lot of distractions into our lives and you could just as easily pretend to be doing some homework when you are in fact killing aliens and driving a spaceship in VR because no one can see what you are doing the distraction of games could become a very real possibility.
The last con we need to talk about is censorship. Us VR users should be able to analyze, verify and censor our own information not have Meta do it for us! Sure, the Internet is full of false claims, unconfirmed theories, and other unfortunate content inappropriate for consumption, but education on those matters is far better than censoring them as it often leads to people forming their own opinions about various matters rather than educating themselves about it.
The truth is nothing is going to stop VR, AR and MR technology from entering the classroom and it will continue to do so for many years to come. But the technology really needs to mature a lot more before it is of benefit to everyone. Yes, it is exciting and innovative right now, but it is far, far from ready for the general public’s eyes.