Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras are creating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) learning platforms for use in rural schools. The researchers are creating new models of education utilizing digital tools for use in secondary schools in underserved regions.
The purpose of this project is to create virtual reality (VR)-enabled immersive and experiential learning environments where students may learn about different fields including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and foreign languages.
Students can be better prepared for successful careers in higher education with the aid of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) world-building, digital storytelling, and gaming.
IIT-M Researchers Developing VR-based Edu Model for Rural Schools…
The first augmented reality (AR) smartphone app, MemoryBytes, was developed by Project Coordinators Dr. Merin Simi Raj and Dr. Avishek Parui to document the 500-year history of the global Anglo-Indian community. The program, which is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, allows users to see images, maps, and historical documents in a way that is both engaging and educational through the use of animation and augmented reality.
The widespread rollout of this tech-driven program in India’s classrooms will be greatly facilitated by corporate sponsorship in the form of CSR Grants.
Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the United Nations asks all countries to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” This initiative might assist India accomplish this goal. Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said, “This project has the potential to redefine learning and education in schools for millions of rural school students across India, by creating immersive experiences through AR/VR technology-enhanced pedagogy.”
This quote exemplifies the need for industry to support the scaling up of projects with the potential for deep social impact. The project’s goal is to change education in rural regions by creating virtual access and mobility through portable platforms leveraging AR/VR technologies. The ‘Digital Divide’ between city and rural schoolchildren may also be closed by this initiative.
Dr. Merin Simi Raj, Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Technology at IIT Madras and the project’s Coordinator, elaborated on the initiative’s goals, saying, “This project seeks to build accessible and affordable digitally enabled immersive learning experience along with the opportunity to connect with experts working in various fields.”
The goal of the project is to create a paradigm of education that can function outside of traditional classrooms and is assisted by augmented and virtual reality. Virtual reality (VR) is being used by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to create a new instructional paradigm for use in rural institutions.
The purpose of this strategy is to provide students in remote regions with a higher quality and more interesting educational experience. The initiative is being supported by the Science and Technology Administration.
The Need for Better Education in Rural Areas
Many of India’s rural schools lack the funding, personnel, and physical facilities to provide their students with an adequate education. This causes many students to give up on their studies and leaves those who do graduate with few options.
The dropout rate in rural regions is as high as 40%, whereas it is only 20% in metropolitan areas, according to the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The quality of schooling in rural areas is noticeably lower than in metropolitan centers. The country’s economic and social growth may be permanently affected.
The VR-Based Educational Model
Researchers at IIT-Madras are developing a virtual reality (VR) based educational paradigm to fill this need and bring high quality education to students living in rural regions. The approach incorporates virtual reality (VR) technology to give students an interactive and immersive education.
Videos, simulations, and quizzes are just some of the learning tools used to help pupils grasp difficult subjects. The concept also incorporates a training program for educators to guarantee that instructors in underserved regions have access to and are proficient with virtual reality technology.
Using virtual reality (VR) in the classroom, making instructional material for VR, and integrating VR into the classroom are just a few of the many subjects covered in the training program…..Read More
The Benefits of the VR-Based Educational Model
Students in rural regions can reap several benefits from the virtual reality (VR) based instructional approach being developed by researchers at IIT-Madras. To begin with, it adds a new dimension of fun and interactivity to the classroom, which has the potential to maintain students’ attention and motivation. Second, it allows students to have exposure to a variety of course materials that may otherwise be inaccessible to their rural school’s curriculum.
Finally, it has the potential to reduce the disparity between urban and rural schools. Teachers in remote locations can also benefit from this technique. Virtual reality technology has the potential to aid educators in clarifying and explaining difficult subjects to their pupils. It also gives educators access to a wealth of instructional materials that can be used to complement classroom instruction.
