Top 5 VR apps to use in your Classroom
Virtual and Augmented Reality have helped transform the way we view industries, and the world. Through this invention, we have been able to provide an engaging experience to a user, that cuts out any root of possible distractions. Not only does extended reality provide a visual to whatever we do, it also helps us understand topics better, and can be used to simulate situations for us to better our skillset.
Given its celebrated run for the field of education, these technologies are yet to be used in a real classroom setting. With either teachers unwilling to adapt their methods to accommodate newer innovations that would aid them in their study plans, or the cost of the equipment that could change the classroom environment being unaffordable for institutes, VR and AR tools have struggled to enter the education sector. In 2016, a survey conducted by Extreme Networks found 77% of 350 higher education schools not using VR in their classrooms due to either of the above reasons. However, the future of these tools in the education industry is not bleak; prices for AR and VR have dropped to a reasonable low, and teachers have started to incorporate them in as many ways as they can. To read a little bit more about the importance of AR and VR in the education sector, click here.
For educators who are already using extended reality in schools, or for teachers seeking innovative ways to teach young learners difficult and monotonous subjects, here are 5 best VR applications that can be used in the classroom.
InMind VR 2
This virtual reality game is set inside the mind of a teenage boy named John, who like any growing human, experiences a tonne of emotions. Inspired by Lovheim's Theory of emotions and Disney Pixar's most loved animated film Inside Out, the game teaches students the working of emotions and brain chemistry. Inorder to control John's emotions, the student must catch the right neurons by shaking John's head. The collected neurons play a role in affecting the mood, and future, of John as the game proceeds forward.
This game is compatible with View Master, Fibrum, Homido, Lakento, Archos, Durovis, and other Cardboard headsets.
Titans of Space
Virtual Reality provides you with an interactive way to teach young learners about the Solar System, called Titans of Space. This game provides you an in-depth tour of the planets and stars in the galaxy with the right accompanying music and entertaining visuals. The planets in this game are shrunk to one-millionth the actual size fora more surreal experience. The earth, for instance, will appear to be the size of a small house, or a 12.7 metre-wide holographic ball.
This game provides the added advantage of being self-paced, and also comes with a variety of options which you can choose to customize to take your students on their preferred tour. This game is compatible with Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Monitor.
Discovery VR
If I ask you to name 5 science related television channels that are currently on cable tv, your list would be incomplete without mentioning Discovery Channel. Having been in the field of science and technology for the past 30 years, Discovery has now brought the world to its viewers through another medium: Virtual Reality. Viewers can now experience science, technology, and the world with the help of Discovery VR. Users can choose from a number of shows, such as Discovery Atlas, Let's Go Places Florida, Discovery Presents, DNews Labs, and more.
Aside from Google Cardboard, you can now watch Discovery VR 360 videos on your desktop with a compatible browser, through Gear VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.
Anatomyou
Imagine taking an immersive tour of the human body, its organs and their functioning, and experiencing its wonders like never before. Anatomyou is one such Virtual reality game that covers this in-depth, allowing students to view every detail to the last bone in the human body. Although this tool is marketed for students majoring in medicine, this can also find its applications in a classroom of young learners when you want to introduce the human body and its functioning to them.
This app provides you a tour of the nose and throat, gastrointestinal systems, circulatory systems (divided into arterial, venuous, and lymphatic) and the female reproductive system. As add-on options, you can also view the urinary system and the transbronchial tree.
Tilt Brush
Technology has definitely touched every field, building tools that provide a broader range for our minds to get creative. Google's Tilt Brush, which allows you to do away with your paint brushes and small palettes, encourages students to utilize virtual space for the creation of art pieces. It comes with a large palette of dynamic brushes, a variety of interfaces, and the option to share artworks either in the form of animated gifs or largescale masterpieces.
This game can be viewed on HTC Vive, Google VR, and Oculus Rift.
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