Daily Archives: September 20, 2022

Virtual reality, or VR, is a digital world that was developed decades ago but has come into its own in recent years. This is because only now is the technology small enough, powerful enough, and affordable enough to reach the mainstream. For those reasons, virtual reality is now starting to get used in education.

VR represents a new media platform that can allow for a more immersive way for students to learn. But, importantly, it can also be an option to offer greater opportunities and experiences to all students.

For example, students in positions of physical limitations, or schools with limited funding, are now able to experience virtual trips to real places they could not have reached before.

Read on to find out all you need to know about virtual reality in education.

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-based system that uses software, screens on each eye, and interactive controls to allow a person to enter a virtual, digital world. It can also be achieved using tablets and smartphones with the screen as the virtual world, but this is a less immersive way and often applies to augmented rather than virtual reality.

By placing the displays close to the eyes, usually in a headset, it allows the person to feel as if they're looking at a giant screen, close-up. The makes for a very immersive view that is coupled with motion sensors so when you move your head the view changes, just as in the physical world.

While virtual reality has been used widely for gaming it's also now being used in work-based training and, more recently, in education. One of the big factors in this relatively recent uptake was Google Cardboard, which used a super affordable cardboard phone holder with lenses built in to create virtual worlds. This works with smartphones, allowing students and teachers to easily and affordably experience VR.

Since then, virtual reality has had lots of funding thrown at it by big name companies, universities, and technology brands. With a global value (opens in new tab) at $6.37 billion back in 2021, which should reach $32.94 billion in 2026, it's clear this is a fast-growing area that's going to mean big changes in education long term.

One of the most powerful ways to show off virtual reality in schools is to take virtual tours. This can mean visiting a location, anywhere in the world, without the usual issues of cost, transport, waiver forms, and even crowds to worry about. Instead, students and teachers can slip on VR headsets and all go on a tour together. But it goes further as this can also go beyond time, allowing a class to go back and visit an ancient city that's now gone, for example.

The uses for VR extend into a variety of subjects, however, for science, for example, students could visit the stars or carry out virtual lab (opens in new tab) experiments safely using digital versions of the real thing but that react in the same way.

This goes further with some schools actually setting up virtual classrooms that children can visit remotely. The Optima Academy charter school in Florida provides its 1,300 students with Oculus VR headsets (opens in new tab) to participate in virtual lessons. This can include history lessons taught in the Oval Office, virtually, or among the planets for astronomy.

Getting virtual reality into schools consists of two main parts: the access to virtual reality headsets themselves and the software required to run it all. There are now companies that specialize in providing kits with enough headsets for an entire class. Most also now have their own software, compatible with others, which allows teachers to manage the experience of the class and gain access to lots of educational apps and games.

There are also apps that offer virtual reality experiences on phones and tablets without the need for a headset. Think Google Earth, in which you can explore the planet virtually by panning and zooming about. That's not as immersive, but certainly classes as a virtual reality experience.

Since Apple introduced software advances that make building virtual reality easier this has grown massively in education. One leading name is Discovery Education, who offers a good example of augmented reality (opens in new tab) with their new app that was featured at Bett 2022 (opens in new tab).

We've also compiled a list of the best virtual and augmented reality headsets for schools (opens in new tab), which shows the options out there and can give you an idea of pricing.

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What Is Virtual Reality? | Tech & Learning

Virtual reality has taken the tech world by storm. But just what is VR?

Read on to discover what VR can doand how you can be a part of the unbelievable experiences that transport you from the comfort of your living room to far-off worlds you never knew existed.

VR uses cutting-edge graphics, best-in-class hardware, and artistically rendered experiences to create a computer-simulated environment where you arent just a passive participant, but a co-conspirator. With a VR headset, youre fully absorbed in realistic 3D worlds, creating a major shift in how we experience the digital realm.

A VR headset usually features a display split between the eyes to show each eye a different feed. This creates a stereoscopic 3D effect with stereo sound. It also tracks your position in space to orient your point of view in the system.

When you combine the VR headset and input tracking, you get a completely immersive and realistic experience. Since the world around you turns every time you move your head, you feel like youre in the game mentally and physically. In other words, you feel like youre part of another universe.

While VR adds a whole new layer to entertainment, the technology goes beyond gaming to offer something for everyone.

Did you know that, with VR, you can learn a new language, teleport almost anywhere in the world, or step aboard the International Space Station? VR lets you explore new worlds and attempt feats that seem unimaginable. And it has the potential to transform how we play, work, learn, communicate, and experience the world around us.

Consider the possibilities in healthcare. Oculus partnered with Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to build a VR simulation that enables medical students and staff to be fully immersed in high-risk pediatric trauma situations where split-second decisions mean the difference between life and death. These virtual scenarios empower doctors and students to practice and learn in realistic workplace conditions, helping them hone the skills theyll use to treat patients. By training with VR, medical providers can deliver better care.

VR is used in the automotive industry to experiment with new automobile designs. Youll also find brands using it in retail to help shoppers virtually try on clothing and accessories to assist with purchasing decisions. And its even being used in law enforcement and the military for training.

So while games are an integral part of virtual reality, VR has plenty of different applications that will only expand as the technology develops further.

Of course, reading about VR is much different than experiencing it first-hand. So get ready to go snowboarding in your living room, have a work meeting as an avatar, or explore Machu Picchu from your kitchen. With VR, the possibilities are out of this world.

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What Is Virtual Reality All About? - Oculus VR

Last Updated on July 15, 2022 by Filip Poutintsev

Virtual reality (VR) is a modernized technology in which one is given the opportunity to have a real life experience of a virtual world that might or might not be similar to the real world. It is a bit different from augmented reality (AR).

Virtual reality is based on an advanced combination of both programmed software and hardware. There are numerous applications of VR technology in areas such as engineering, gaming, education, media, medicine, films, and other fields.

Present-day virtual reality technology utilizes multi-projected environments or a virtual reality headset to produce lifelike sounds, images, and other sensations that simulate the physical presence of a user in the simulated world.

Anyone using virtual reality equipment is practically able to explore the virtual reality environment and is also capable of interacting with virtual objects or structures.

Virtual reality integrates video and aural feedback, but with the aid of haptic technology, force feedback, and other sensory types are allowed. Rather than seeing a display in front of them, people are submerged and allowed to communicate within virtual worlds.

By replicating multiple senses, such as hearing, vision, smell, and touch, the machine becomes a facilitator for the artificial environment.

Lately, numerous industries are acquiring new heights of customer commitment by exploiting the virtual reality technology and, hence, its reputation has been mounting over the years. Moreover, with the gradual decrement in the VR devices pricing, the availability of virtual reality technology is expanding to a wider audience, which will eventually heighten the opportunity for more audiences to experience the unworldly phenomenon right in their own homes.

Since the mid-1400s, the term virtual had been used to mean something truthful enough to produce any effect, but not physically. Ever since 1959, in the sense of a computer, virtual has been referred to as appearing with the aid of software, but physically not existing thereafter. Similar to other types of expertise, there are certain advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality, and this article will cover them all in detail.

This technology does come with several benefits, and several areas have been positively affected by the implementation of this technology. Some of the positive impacts of virtual reality are listed below:

Virtual reality, in comparison, offers high quality visualizations that give the user a feeling of being in a different world while playing games, or watching the scenery, etc. Playing games using virtual reality gives the user the impression of actually being inside the game experiencing every move as if it were real with all those visual and sound effects along with countless other sensations.

Related: Here are the pros and cons to video games

Another of the countless other benefits of virtual reality technology is using it for training purposes and practice. It can simulate potentially dangerous real-world operations like surgery, combat, flight. One can easily learn to perform operations, fly a plane, and many more without risking theirs and/or others lives.

Planning a vacation can be tiring work, and if the planned location doesnt work out as hoped, it is bound to worsen ones mood. But with the virtual reality technology one can simply get a detailed and sharp view of any tourist location and decide if the trip is worth their time and effort.

Virtual reality comes in very handy in our day-to-day activities such as shopping. Suppose youre shopping for interior design for your house. However, just looking at the designs doesnt make it simpler to decide a perfect match and thus a confusing situation arises. Such confusion can easily be handled by using virtual reality to put together the designs and the interior of your house for a well-versed decision.

Using VR technology, doctors can understand any medicines new qualities and determine its side-effects, giving them a clear idea of the outcome. Fields such as content writing and editing can also benefit from the virtual reality technology by easing in detecting faults through certain software arrangements.

Regardless of the numerous merits offered by virtual reality technology, there are still some disadvantages of virtual reality that need to be acknowledged when considering this type of technology. The cons you need to consider are listed below.

Unlike real-world systems, virtual reality doesnt offer flexibility in making changes to the pre-set program sequence. Say someone is in the classroom and wants to raise some questions, in the real world they are free to do so as well as to make suggestions, but in a virtual reality such isnt feasible.

Anyone can become obsessed with anything if they get involved with it for a longer period. This is especially the case when something as astounding as virtual reality is taken into account. Many tend to like games that allow violence and other illegal activities, but if that turns into addiction its possible they will commit the crime in the real world.

Regardless of the fun and amazing experience provided by the virtual reality technology, not everyone is capable of affording the same tech as it does not come cheap. Irrespective of the decrement in its price over the years, virtual reality still hasnt been cheap enough to be affordable to most populations.

After spending significant amounts of time in a virtual reality, they become addicted to it and tend to enjoy it more there than in the real world. Thus, they spend more time with their friends in the virtual reality, just like in games. This eventually leads them to become isolated from the real world.

One can always train to either perform surgery or fly a plane, using virtual reality to an extent. But training in the virtual world and real-world are entirely different things. They might not be able to give their best when exposed to the real world because any action they take will have real consequences.

Finally, after understanding all the advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality, one ought to understand the meaning of the virtual world and its characteristics. Briefly, one can say that virtual reality can be astounding and educational, and it can also aid in reducing the build-up stress by granting them the joy of visiting another world virtually.

Needless to say, virtual reality is very expensive and can easily cause some people to get addicted as well. Addiction brings forth several negative health effects such as depression, anxiety, etc. One cant perfect their skills regardless of the amount of training they do in the virtual reality, and thus the experience acquired there will never be recognized as real or sufficient.

References

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10 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Virtual Reality (2022)

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Tactile Virtual Reality Market Research Report by Component (Hardware and Software), End-Use, Region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market size was estimated at USD 328.08 million in 2021, USD 397.01 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 21.18% to reach USD 1,039.24 million by 2027.

Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.

FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Tactile Virtual Reality Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.

Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments

The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Tactile Virtual Reality Market?

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Challenges

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7x8srw

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Insights on the Tactile Virtual Reality Global Market Research Report to 2027 - Growing Advancements in Virtual Reality Products & Rising...

In the fight for theme park visitors the battle lines have been drawn monster trucks, virtual reality zombie warfare and smellscaping, just thankfully not all at the same time.

And while there was a sombre atmosphere around parts of London as tens of thousands lined up to pay their respects to the Queen, there were 10,000 more gathered in a convention centre in East London experiencing the future of the theme park.

The convention centres hall was dominated by a monster truck on hydraulics rocking riders and a nine-foot-tall alien 3D-printed in a matter of hours.

Alongside that were several full-size bowling lanes and more soft play areas than you could fill with a whole primary schools worth of birthday parties. Pinball manufacturers Stern did, however, delay the launch of its James Bond pinball machines as a mark of respect for the Queen.

Anyone taking a walk down the cavernous hall couldnt help but notice the vast quantity of virtual reality headsets. Through VR, riders on the monster truck experienced being thrown about as though they were being driven around a real arena, while rollercoaster manufacturer Mack Rides could demonstrate some of its own rides without needing to ship attendees out to the companys own Europa Park in Germany.

The technology also helps provide interactivity, something that Mark Beumers, chief executive of Dutch dark rides vendor Lagotronics Projects, thinks is going to become increasingly crucial to the experience.

Visitors expect more and more, since they grew up with technology, nowadays, and they want to experience technology in a theme park in a different and better way than they can do it at home. And since they already have a lot of technology at home that they experience in a good way, a theme park needs to be the extra step.

But, Beumers says, virtual reality has its limits. Simply getting headsets on and off riders can add unacceptable delays to loading up rides, and the technology limits one of the best aspects of going to a theme park: sharing the experience with the friends and family you visit with.

And while the technology was just starting to be installed in parks towards the beginning of 2018, the impact of Covid in the last couple of years has given operators a chance to consider, and shift their approach.

In 2019, people were thinking, this is the new thing, this is going to take off, says Emily Popovich, of theme park design agency Outdoor Factory. But then Covid hit, and everyone sort of forgot about that.

And then, after Covid, everyone is calm and developing new awesome things, theres so many geniuses in this industry. So we come out of Covid and everything is better than it was in 2019 and nobody cares about that any more.

In its place, says Maximilian Roeser, Mack Rides head of marketing, is a new push for augmented reality that lets riders experience all the benefits of VR without being stuck in a bubble that shuts them off from the real world.

In the companys latest creations, riders even put the headsets on long before they get on the rollercoaster itself, with the queue, boarding and alighting experience all having virtual additions.

Alex Hern's weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives

But Roeser says the biggest changes are likely to be those behind the scenes that such technology enables. Theme parks will develop in a way that youll have more and more interactivity.

More and more customisation to your customers as well: all the parks will know who is coming in, their name, their age, probably what they like and what they dislike, and therefore they can transform the park for each guest. And each guest experience will be different and probably fitted directly to that guest.

We already worked with that, because we have some alpha options for our coaster ride so that you can choose your own experience: one person that is sitting on the lefthand side could see another movie than the person on the righthand side.

The classic experiences arent going anywhere, though. For many, like Julie Rice-Witherell of conference organiser IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, theres still nothing that matches the thrill of riding a new rollercoaster for the first time.

Every time they build a new one anywhere near me, its like its just something different. I wouldnt say its better, but it is faster, or it has more turns or you know, hits higher G forces, whatever. Its always something new that youve never experienced.

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Each guest experience will be different: VR and the future of theme parks - The Guardian

Virtual reality, or VR, has become more affordable in recent years, but its still not the cheapest medium to get into meaning finding the hottest VR headset deals is important.

Luckily, Amazon has a new offer that reduces the price of the excellent HP Reverb G2 VR headset to just $490 (opens in new tab), saving users $109 thats 18% off the RRP.

For that price, users get access to HPs latest headset, which is remarkably comfortable, as well as all required accessories and a pair of its impressive motion controllers. In fact, the HP Reverb G2 earns a spot on our rundown of the best VR headsets.

Now, this isn't quite as good as the deal we posted last week which saw the Reverb down to just $400 (and that deal is still live (opens in new tab)) but we know some people just prefer shopping on Amazon, so we've posted this one too.

Unlike the Meta Quest 2 (opens in new tab), the headset connects to a PC and is compatible with Windows Augmented Reality and Steam VR right out of the box. That means you can use it for working in Microsofts own supported AR and VR apps, but can also use it to play incredible VR games like Half-Life: Alyx, Elite Dangerous, and plenty more through Steam.

The required cables are in the box, too, and the latest version offers four built-in cameras for more accurate tracking through whatever apps youre in.

With a rating of 3.7 stars out of 5 (opens in new tab), many have noted the clarity of the impressive 2160x2160 resolution per eye, but some have noted it can be tricky to set up depending on the game or application you want to run.

At the other end of the VR spectrum, if you'd prefer to buy you or your child something educational and fun in the VR world then Amazon is offering a saving of $10 on a Bill Nye VR Science Kit (opens in new tab). This set, which includes a variety of scientific experiments, offers VR goggles that link to an iPhone or Android device for an interactive learning experience.

User reviews are positive, with a 4.5-star rating (opens in new tab) and praise for the number of included pieces of apparatus and the adjustable VR goggles.

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Get your own personal holodeck with the HP Reverb G2 VR headset, now over $100 off at Amazon - Space.com