Learning with virtual reality: the future of teaching?

Virtual reality (VR) promises a revolution in education: from virtual excursions into the solar system to trips into the human body – teaching could become more exciting and interactive than ever before. But what are the opportunities offered by this technology and what risks could arise? These were the questions addressed by the participants at the Teachers' Day at the Kufstein Uni, which took place on November 7 in the “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall) of the higher education institution.

KEYNOTE BY KYÖSTI KOSKELA: INSIGHTS INTO THE WORLD OF THE BOARD

The event began with introductory words from Prof. (FH) Dr. Mario Döller, who set the audience up for the topic. This was followed by a keynote speech from Kyösti Koskela, team leader and project manager of the Finnish game development team Clever Simulation Entertainment.

Koskela, whose work continues under the umbrella of the Finnish Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, has already developed over 100 educational games with his team. He emphasized that VR technology is still in the development phase worldwide. Particularly exciting is the fact that mobile VR technology dominates with a market share of over 90 percent compared to computer-based VR.

“Virtual reality has a key component that many other media do not have,” says Koskela, introducing the topic of the day. This is because it encourages users to quickly accept or slip into the role of the learning game. This immersive quality is particularly valuable in education because it promotes emotional learning and makes complex content more tangible.

PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE IN THE PANEL DISCUSSION

This was followed by a discussion on the future of education with VR, moderated by Prof. (FH) Dr. Mario Döller. The panelists were:

• DI (FH) Ortrun Gröblinger, MSc: Head of the IT department at the University of Innsbruck and President of the Forum for New Media in Teaching Austria (FNMA)
• Mag. (FH) Christoph Sitar: Founder of Mediasquad, a Tyrolean company with expertise in virtual and augmented reality
• Prof. Dr. Maximilian Sailer: Professor of Education at the University of Passau
• Andreas Berger, BSc, MSc: Founder of the Tyrolean VR startup Innerspace, which develops training simulations for the pharmaceutical industry

The discussion began with the question of how VR could change the educational landscape. Gröblinger saw enormous potential in technology: “These possibilities make the world more colorful and diverse.”

Sitar emphasized that the success of VR depends to a large extent on a clear objective: “Once the cases have been identified, VR can be extremely effective.” He gave an example from Mexico, where VR applications helped to assess the suitability of employees for specific jobs. He sees VR and artificial intelligence as game changers in education.

Berger described his experiences in the pharmaceutical industry, which he described as very traditional. Despite initial skepticism, the use of VR is increasing: even in conservative industries, companies are beginning to recognize the potential of new technologies.

But critical aspects were also examined. Sailer pointed out that teachers are often not sufficiently prepared for the use of new technologies: “Even the content that people learn today falls short of future requirements.” Overuse of VR can also have a negative impact on learning success. Gröblinger added that VR should not be an end in itself: the aim is to find meaningful applications and only use those tools that really offer added value.

SHOWCASE AREA: EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY UP CLOSE

In addition to exciting presentations and discussions, a specially set up showcase area offered participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with VR technologies.

CONCLUSION: SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES, RECOGNIZE LIMITS

The event impressively demonstrated that virtual reality has great potential in the field of education. It can bring learning content to life and evoke emotions that promote learning success. At the same time, the use of VR requires a well-thought-out strategy, good training of staff, and a careful consideration of the benefits and risks.

With the Teachers' Day, the Kufstein Uni not only provided a platform for the exchange of expertise, but also the opportunity to actively shape the future of education – and to experience technologies such as VR for themselves.