In a world powered by technology and filled with distractions, capturing learners’ attention is easy, yet, keeping them engaged throughout the session remains the biggest challenge. Learners, more than ever, need a dynamic and engaging form of learning that goes beyond the traditional lecture-based approach and that would make the learning experience more productive and worthy.
Immersive learning is a new and innovative learning technique that has been gaining popularity in the recent years. It refers to a type of learning that is designed to be interactive and engaging, allowing learners to immerse themselves in real-world scenarios and learn specific techniques and skills in a safe artificial environment. It does not only eradicate distractions but also eliminates monotony in the process of learning by providing stimulating visualizations and bringing abstract learning to life. For example, learners might be able to experience a simulated historical event or explore a virtual environment by actively participating in the learning process and gaining a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
At Saint Mary’s Orthodox College, we believe that a classroom goes far beyond its structured walls. Accordingly, we have been using the Virtual Reality (VR) technology, as one of the solutions to integrate immersive learning in the classrooms and to bring sceneries and objects to life making the users feel as if they are immersed in their surroundings.
Consequently, Intermediate and Secondary learners had the chance to virtually explore various places around the world without having to leave their classrooms. Equipped with VR headsets, Grade 10 learners visited the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt in the Social Studies sessions and enjoyed a wonderful trip while discovering the Great Sphinx of Giza. Another VR project was implemented with Grade 7 and Grade 8 learners as they visited NASA and became astronauts on a mission to explore space. Throughout this virtual tour, they discovered how NASA’s program facilitates the capability to transport humans to and from deep space and explored the planets and asteroids within our solar system. The astonishment they expressed when they returned to earth is inexplicable!
Additionally, Intermediate and Secondary learners are constantly using the VR Science Lab to learn chemical and physical concepts through engaging visualizations; one of the lessons was about atoms structure where they dived inside a pencil and a balloon and flew between their molecules and atoms to discover the difference between solids and gaseous substances at a molecular level.
Another solution for integrating the immersive learning technique in our school is using the Augmented Reality (AR) technology that adds digital elements to reality to enhance it. With the help of AR tools, preschoolers’ beautiful colorings, drawings, and handwritings are scanned and animated in 3D, spreading a spirit of excitement and happiness in the classroom. This technique is used to develop young learners’ fine motor skills in a captivating and enjoyable learning experience. Grade 4 learners have also used this technology in Geography where they scanned the AR World Map and traveled across continents in 3D to explore their various landscapes and monuments as well as discover their seasons, plants, and animals. Moreover, Elementary learners have used AR in Math to discover the 3D models of the main 2D geometrical shapes where they got a clearer visualization of their edges, faces, vertexes, etc. Several AR-based tools are also being used in different subjects at school, allowing learners to discover critical and abstract concepts in 3D.
Immersive learning has proved to have a positive impact on our learners’ motivation and engagement, which is critical to their long-term success in school and beyond. Therefore, Saint Mary’s Orthodox College constantly seeks to integrate new approaches to foster an active learning environment and inculcate in our learners the love of learning and the desire to continue exploring new subjects and topics.
It is difficult nowadays to retain the attention of children with formulas and boring textbooks, therefore teachers are always trying to find innovative ways to deliver their content. With MEL VR Science Lab, science becomes a favorite subject at home and at school! Immersing students in a virtual reality experience with short 5-minute VR lessons, interactive labs, and simulations is an excellent way to deliver complex chemical and physical concepts through engaging visualizations.
MEL VR Science Lab is a growing series of science simulations, lessons, and labs covering chemistry and physics. Made to fit right into the school curriculum, Virtual Reality turns studying into an interactive and immersive experience, making learning entertaining!
With VR headsets on, learners will be immersed in a VR science lab where they will see chemical compounds and physical reactions inside everyday objects. They will zoom in on seemingly simple objects like a pencil or a balloon, fly between molecules and atoms, and understand the differences between solids and gaseous substances at a molecular level!
How Does this MEL VR Science Lab Work?
MEL VR Science Lessons
At present, the application contains a growing library of over 70 VR lessons, labs, and simulations that cover all the main chemistry and physics topics.
Samples of MEL VR Science Lessons
Atoms in Solids
The first lesson shows that all matter consists of atoms. It will take students inside graphite and a diamond. Students will see that both materials consist of the same carbon atoms, but have very different properties because their atomic level structure is different. Students will also learn that atoms in solids do not stay still – they vibrate.
Interactive Periodic Table
You can play with this interactive periodic table, exploring each atom and adjusting its electron orbitals and the corresponding configuration diagram.
Molecular Formula
In this interactive lab there are many different molecular compounds you can zoom into and see their molecules. You must write down their molecular formulas.
Pressure Measurement
In this lab, you can register how many particles hit the wall and how hard. You can make measurements for different areas. Use the obtained data to calculate the pressure.
Charges and Forces
The term charge is introduced, and the attraction and repelling of charges are explained. You can see how charged balls interact: the forces applied to them and their movement under these forces.
Teacher Mode
While using MEL VR Science Lab, teachers can control the lesson flow using the special teacher mode with a few touches of their tablet. They can instantly connect to all the student devices, start and pause the lesson and control the progress of each student.
Pricing and Set-Up
Download MEL VR Science Smilulations app on your tablet.
Purchase a license hereto receive an email with an activation link.
Download MEL VR Science Simulations app on your classroom devices from Apple Store or Google Playstore — they will automatically connect to the tablet.
Control the lesson flow with a few clicks.
Educational Values
Understanding, not memorizing
To understand chemistry and physics, you have to understand what is happening on the molecular and atomic level. Just memorizing formulas and facts is not enough.
What could be a better way to understand the behavior of atoms, ions, and molecules than to put yourself inside chemical reactions, to see all these particles with your own eyes.
Connecting the real world with the world of molecules
Each lesson, lab, or simulation starts in a lab and then zooms in to the molecular level.
Imagine being able to shrink a billion times, like Ant-man, allowing you to see what otherwise would remain invisible.
Chemistry and physics are difficult because you have to connect the macro and micro worlds in an overall concept and see how they are linked.
Interactive experiments with atoms and molecules
We do not mimic a classic lab, but provide interactive lessons where kids can conduct experiments on atoms and molecules that are otherwise impossible:
– Build your own atom
– Build your own molecule
– Measure bond energies
– Play with ionization energy, etc.
Focusing
VR takes students out of their surroundings. They can focus 100 percent on their lessons without distractions.
If you’ve ever tried to convince kids to focus on their studying, rather than texting, chit-chatting, etc. while they « study», you know exactly what we are talking about.
Short 3–7 minute long sessions. After 3–7 minutes, a child’s ability to keep absorbing new information drops. But during these minutes, their attention is complete and their learning is intense.
zSpaceis an AR VR laptop that provides students with a new way of learning by bringing together the augmented and virtual reality technologies. Its learning methodology consists of a combination of hardware, software, and educational content where students are completely immersed in a learning experience that facilitates the building of a curriculum around it.
zSpace: AR VR laptop
zSpace laptop applications offer a realistic study environment by providing virtual-holographic images that can be “lifted” from the screen and manipulated with the stylus. Some applications also provide multi-sensory feedback; for example, students working with a virtual heart can see it pumping, hear it, and feel it beating.
zSpace: AR VR Laptop
The AR VR laptop comes with glasses that work in conjunction with its tracking system to provide users with an interactive AR/VR experience and a stylus that allows them to bring the objects out of the screen and into reality.
How to use the AR VR Laptop?
zSpace Laptop Applications
zSpace laptop offers interesting K-12 applications; some of them are listed below:
Franklin’s Lab– guides students through electricity concepts and troubleshooting faulty circuits. Students can follow guided activities and repair broken switches and motors in Workbench mode.
Euclid’s Shapes – offers activities with math manipulatives and provides teachers with a guide to math learning. Students learn with Base-10 blocks, Square Tiles, Fraction Bars, and more!
Curie’s Elements – allows students to explore a periodic table with Bohr and atomic models for each element. Students can also build elements by adding protons, neutrons, and electrons.
MEL Chemistry – provides an engaging visualization and explanation of chemistry concepts – from atoms to molecules including the periodic table, gas laws, and isomerism.
Experiences – include experiential-based simulations of Earth, Life, and Physical Science topics allowing students to manipulate content while learning abstract concepts.
Human Anatomy Atlas – is an award-winning human anatomy general reference. Students can explore human body systems, over 4,600 anatomical structures, and more!
Geogebra Classic – allows students to better engage in math concepts related to three-dimensional topics. Students can explore functions, geometry, algebra, calculus, and 3D math.
Newton’s Park – allows students to run or create their own experiments to deepen their knowledge of Newtonian Mechanics. Students can build simulations while interacting with data.
3D Organon VR Anatomy is an immersive self-discovery experience into the human body where learners can manipulate bones, muscles, vessels, organs, and other anatomical structures in 3D and examine them closely using the virtual reality technology. They will also delve into the body systems, peek under the skin to see what they are made of while reading or hearing anatomical terminology, and studying descriptive texts.
How to Use the 3D Organon VR Anatomy?
Delve into the Future
Organon’s multi-award-winning software platform facilitates accelerated learning and teaching in medical sciences and anatomy across desktop, mobile, and virtual reality devices.
Hands-on Remote Delivery
The multi-user and cross-platform module allow educators to deliver 3D anatomy sessions where students can interact via voice and text chat and will be able to follow the anatomy instruction in real-time.
