Augmented Reality is a technology of enhancing the real world by digital information and Virtual Reality is a technology of replacing the surrounding by digital simulation. The composite of these two technologies has improved customer engagement through visual, super visualisation for medical and engineering applications, minimised cost and time efficiently. There are a list of domains where AR and VR are utilised and bring most out of it such as gaming, manufacturing, medical imaging, e-commerce, real estate and architecture, education and training. This article focuses on AR and VR in education and training. The use of AR and VR in education and training increases as wearable device development has increased. The AR and VR technology rapidly matures and some of the top computer engineering colleges in Nashik integrate these technologies into their learning and training process.
The History of Virtual Reality
The work on virtual reality began in 1960, with the experimental initiative taken by Ivan Sutherland. Thereafter, in 1985, the term virtual reality was coined by Jaron Lanier, an American computer scientist, who founded VPL Research Inc. It produced a range of digital virtual reality products such as the data glove, goggles, and head-mounted display. Presently, VR has come up with advanced technologies such as wireless and portable devices. The future appearance of the VR will be more powerful and cost efficient. AI will immerse with Advanced in user experiences.
The History of Augmented Reality
Like virtual reality, experimental work on augmented reality began in 1968. In 1974, Myron Krueger worked on a project named “Videoplace” that combined video and projection to produce shadows on a screen, aiming to create an interactive user environment. In 1990, Tom Caudell, a Boeing researcher, officially coined the term “Augmented Reality.” In 1992, Louis Rosenberg developed “Virtual Fixtures,” a robotic system in which data was overlaid on the work environment of workers; it is considered the first AR system. In 1999, NASA used a Hybrid Synthetic Vision System in the X-38 spacecraft for navigation during flight testing.
In 2000, Hirokazu Kato of the Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed software that captures real-world actions and interacts with real-world objects, which is considered a breakthrough in AR. In 2009, AR became accessible through internet browsers via ARToolKit. In 2013, Volkswagen used the MARTA application on the iPad to visualise the internal performance of a car, helping service mechanics work with vehicles. AR became very popular with the rise of advanced games. The use of AR has become diverse through various research in fields such as entertainment, sports, medicine, engineering, and more.
AR and VR: Future Learning
AR and VR both technologies in the learning domain have huge social impact. Because learning is the only thing that humans are following from birth. And continue with the growth and development. Humans are enriched in understanding complex structure by learning. Teaching and learning methods evolve over the decade. AR and VR will take important participation in the developing teaching learning process. Traditional method of learning travel from Gesture to language and communication. Teachers still stood in front of students as they were before a few decades ago. AR and VR emerged as the learning methodology to improve engagement in education. In the view of teaching methodology, we can talk on open and closed learning.
Closed learning is the learning where students mount headset devices on head and concentrate on a single subject using interactive 3-D visuals. An open learning environment captures external information to adapt to the student’s need to learn things. AR technology adds value to the course by visualising complex concepts such as molecular structure, human body, rocket trajectory, earth exploration. Multiple gadgets can be used to enrich the experience of the complex subject. In future, these gadgets will be cost efficient. External data capture enhances remote learning through VR classrooms. All the research and future work tend to bridge the gap between theory and practical and ultimately for quality education.
Conclusion
There is a lot of potential for AR and VR being integrated into education and how learning takes place in the future. These technologies have the potential to transform passive learning into active participation among students. As innovation ensures that hardware and software become more cost-effective and accessible, there is going to be a massive shift in the education industry with these technologies. Professionals holding a BCA degree from some of the top computer science colleges in Maharashtra will be able to innovate newer technologies in these fields.