Virtual reality
Virtual reality is a simulated 3D environment that enables users to explore and interact with a virtual surrounding in a way that approximates reality, as it is perceived through the users' senses.
The environment is created with computer hardware and software, although users might also need to wear devices such as helmets or goggles to interact with the environment.
The more deeply users can immerse themselves in a VR environment -- and block out their physical surroundings -- the more they are able to suspend their belief and accept it as real, even if it is fantastical in nature
VR only enhances a fictional reality
AR users can control their presence in the real world.
VR users are controlled by the system.
VR requires a headset device.
AR can be accessed with just a smartphone.
AR enhances both the virtual and real world while
1984 –Data Glove: is an input device for human-computer interaction worn like a glove
1984- VPL Research
Two simultaneous users.
The term VR was first used
Δύο ταυτόχρονοι χρήστες.
Χρησιμοποιήθηκε πρώτη φορά ο όρος VR
1970-1990 VR – devices
1995. Nidento Virtual boy
The first-ever portable console with true 3D graphics for gaming, the Nintendo Virtual Boy (VR-32). Lacked software support and uncomfortable to use. VR debuted in the public arena.
1) Based on connectivity or no connectivity with other devices:
a) Smartphone
These lesser powerful headsets contain lenses and sometimes sensors and all it requires the user to insert a VR-capable or other smartphones to enjoy VR apps. Smartphones that have gyroscopic sensors and accelerometers help create better immersion experiences with these lower quality headsets.
Examples include the Samsung Gear VR, Xiaomi Mi VR Play 2, and Cardboard devices.
Types Of VR Headsets
Virtual reality headsets are divided according to pricing and the level of immersion and experiences they provide, type of connectivity with other devices, and based on how they track the user’s motion and position as they use the devices.
Types Of VR Headsets
Virtual reality headsets are divided according to pricing and the level of immersion and experiences they provide, type of connectivity with other devices, and based on how they track the user’s motion and position as they use the devices.
1) Based on connectivity or no connectivity with other devices:
b) Standalone
These lesser powerful headsets do not require an external connection to a PC or smartphone but come with an integrated computer, processors, sensors, battery, storage memory, and displays, and once strapped, they are ready to go, although they can work with separate controllers and other position and motion tracking sensors and devices. Examples include Oculus Go and Lenovo Mirage Solo.
Types Of VR Headsets
Virtual reality headsets are divided according to pricing and the level of immersion and experiences they provide, type of connectivity with other devices, and based on how they track the user’s motion and position as they use the devices.
c) Tethered
Types such as HTC Vive Pro and others are physically connected/tethered to a computer through a USB and/or HDMI cable. The connected powerful PC processes the 3D or VR environments and sends them to the headset which magnifies them and also manages the other inputs and outputs from and to the user.
2) According to the quality of VR experiences:
α) Low-end
These devices are the cheapest. Made of cardboard, plastics, or aluminum bodies, they have lenses that magnify the 3D and VR content is viewed from a VR app installed in a smartphone inserted in the headset. They are countless, cost as low as $10, and examples include the Mattel View-Master.
Types Of VR Headsets
Virtual reality headsets are divided according to pricing and the level of immersion and experiences they provide, type of connectivity with other devices, and based on how they track the user’s motion and position as they use the devices.
You must check the Compatible Devices
2) According to the quality of VR experiences:
b) Mid-range
The mid-range VR headsets are the ones powered by smartphones, though some come with integrated computer processing units.
However, unlike the cheaper cardboard options, they may comprise own screens, more powerful lenses and field of view, motion tracking sensors, position tracking systems and sensors, a dedicated app store, content subscription with the brands, built-in controls such as through buttons as controllers, and focus wheels.
Samsung’s Gear VR is the most sophisticated, and probably the most successful in this category.
These devices cost between $75 to $125.
Types Of VR Headsets
Virtual reality headsets are divided according to pricing and the level of immersion and experiences they provide, type of connectivity with other devices, and based on how they track the user’s motion and position as they use the devices.
2) According to the quality of VR experiences:
c) High-end
The Oculus Rift, Valve and HTC’s Vive, Vive Pro, Oculus Quest, and Sony PlayStation VR are examples of headsets you might want to buy if willing to experience the best of quality graphics and refresh rates.
Besides the high-resolution screens, they contain motion and position tracking sensors and devices, which is best for full immersion in VR and free movement when playing games and exploring VR content in a room.
These are the most expensive but have lesser motion sickness. You might need to spend around $1,000 together with other hardware costs, such as buying a GPU for your PC.
Types Of VR Headsets
Virtual reality headsets are divided according to pricing and the level of immersion and experiences they provide, type of connectivity with other devices, and based on how they track the user’s motion and position as they use the devices.
VR Headset Buying Tips
1) Decide on which device you want to use to view the virtual reality content and the minimum requirement to operate VR, whether is it a PC, smartphone? You might need to buy GPU graphics for your PC.
2) What is your application? Do you need the high-end VR headsets that support full-body positional and body movement tracking? What is your desired level of immersion?
High-end tethered or wireless VR headsets are also best for hard-core gamers, trainers, and their trainees, for example, in Government Defense departments who need top-notch immersion in their training simulations, etc. If the application is not as sensitive, it may be quite expensive for you to buy a high-end VR headset.
3) If you need mobility, then you might need a mobile VR headset such as the smartphone-based headsets, wireless headsets, standalone headsets, or the cardboards. The smartphone category might need you to add an extra cost for VR-capable smartphone. The tethered ones are connected via a short cable to a PC and will limit movements, though you can upgrade some to be wireless by buying additional devices.
4) Budget–High end cost the tunes of $3000 while the cheaper cardboards cost as low as $10.
Virtual Reality helps students in learning through experience.
With the help of VR, students can get into complex concepts, travel all over the world, go to the bottom of the ocean and do the impossible.
All these things they do from their classroom only and learn about everything along the way.
With Virtual Reality, the possibilities opened up to plenty of educational advancement.
Virtual Reality in Education
These will probably be the most affordable virtual reality glasses on the list and is in fact just a holder for a smartphone. With some special lenses, everything you see is transformed into virtual images.
These VR glasses are reasonably pricey, but are currently one of the best sets you can buy. Through the various Oculus apps, you already have many different teaching possibilities. The glasses come with two touch controllers as well, which is a step up from Google Cardboard.
3. ClassVR
ClassVR is specially produced for schools, and isn’t just about the VR glasses. It’s a complete platform that’s easy to use and offers a lot of content by itself, without the need for external apps. The VR headsets can be wirelessly managed and controlled by their innovative ClassVR Teacher Portal.
4. RedBox VR
The best VR glasses for education
This system can easily be compared with the ClassVR system. Redbox VR mainly focuses on the use of Google content such as Google Expeditions. The system also comes with a tablet with which the teacher can manage the lesson. RedBox VR offers schools an all-in-one virtual reality kit including extra support services and a protection plan.
5. HTC Vive
The makers of HTV Vive headsets are well known for creating very good VR glasses. For education, however, this Vive Cosmos is perfectly suited and still a big investment. But you know for sure these VR glasses are qualified. I suggest buying these glasses when you’re teaching STEM, engineering, or maths in higher education.
Wrap up
I hope we gave you all the information you need to consider including virtual reality in your future classroom. There are many free and educational VR apps out there. Even with a smaller budget, you can use Google Cardboard to give your students the best learning experience ever. Especially now, when going on a trip is not possible in real life, virtual reality is worth the investment.
What VR apps are you going to use in your lessons? And what will you be teaching? Let us know on Twitter: @ibookwidgets.
VR apps for education
NEW VERSION* House of Languages VR – is a new way to master English, German or Spanish languages. It is a highly-effective way for learning new vocabulary using several channels of perception in VR: * see the object and its corresponding name, * hear the name of the object, * repeat the name of the object. | | |
ImmerseMe claims to be the world’s best academic language tool. With the app, you can choose between 9 different languages and from over 3000 different scenarios. The languages you can learn with ImmerseMe are German, Spanish, French, English, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek, and Indonesian. For example, students learn to order a baguette in Paris, buy a bento box in Tokyo, or try tapas at a Spanish restaurant. | | |
Experience the most advanced way to practice languages from the comfort of your couch. Mondly VR uniquely complements Mondly's mobile language learning app, enabling you to refine your speaking skills. You'll get instant feedback on your pronunciation, suggestions that enrich your vocabulary, and surprises that transform language practice with Mondly VR into a one-of-a-kind experience. Join our lifelike characters in a fully immersive language journey! | | |
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Ocean Rift is the world’s first Virtual reality aquatic safari park. Let your students explore the vivid underwater world full of life. The student virtually swims under water, with total freedom of movement, and can watch various fish and other animals including dolphins, sharks, turtles, sea snakes, rays, manatees, sea lions, orcas, humpback whales, and even dinosaurs! Use this app for a fun intermezzo in biology class or natural sciences. | | |
In this playful app, students will learn different things about the human brain. Like John, the teenager, you go on a trip through the brain. Your goal: to become an adult. |
Cardboard | |
InCell is an action/racing game with a bit of strategy and science thrown into the mix in a rare and highly unusual micro world of the carefully recreated human cell. This is the right project to start your acquaintance with Cardboard VR or receive new VR impressions. The game is focused on Virtual Reality but you can play just fine without a set (Cardboard or any other) |
Cardboard |
Use this VR app to examine the human body. You are in control to inspect the whole body and navigate it yourself. Students can take quizzes, explore over 2000 anatomical structures, peel away layers, and much more | | |
Normally, we watch a rocket shoot to the moon only as a viewer in front of the television, or red and white blocked in a Tintin comic book. The Apollo 11 VR app places you in the body of an astronaut who is experiencing the iconic NASA mission from a first-person perspective. | | |
Guide students through collections of 360° scenes and 3D objects, pointing out interesting sites and artifacts along the way. The VR app lets you take your students on an expedition and let them explore history, science, the arts, and the natural world. Whether you’re roaming with dinosaurs or taking a look at Renaissance sculptures, there’s something amazing to explore for every subject. | | |
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This VR app in your math class is really fun and engaging. In a playful way, students go on a virtual adventure to find numbers and shoot them so they learn to add, multiply, divide, and subtract. Let your students battle each other in your VR classroom corner. | | |
With this VR app, students can compare the sizes of planets and moons, shrunk down to 1 millionth of their actual size. They learn interesting facts about the planets as well. This VR application can be used when you are teaching about space or other planets. | Cardboard | |
With the VR app from YouTube, you can “teleport” to certain places. It allows you to watch videos in 360 degrees, putting you in the middle of all the action. The “travel” playlist is one I highly recommend. You can find interesting video’s to teach students about nature, countries all over the world, culture, and history. | |
With Google Earth VR, you can make a school trip out of every lesson! Stroll the streets of Tokyo, soar over Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, and visit famous monuments like the colosseum. | | |
This is a virtual university with a wide variety of teaching programs. You can explore the Titanic, fly through the universe, or visit the Roman Empire thousands of years ago. This app is made for education. You can also your this VR app or virtual platform for teaching biology. | | |
In this impressive VR presentation, you can visit the Secret Annex from the classroom. The house has been recreated in detail while you listen to fragments from her diary. If you’re teaching your students about WWII, you can definitely use this app to keep the students’ attention and interest. | | |
The best way to learn or remember something is to experience it yourself. This app makes that possible. For example, on an adventure in King Tutankhamun’s Tomb. Because of the 360-degree view, it looks like you are really in Cairo, in the pyramids. | |
The focus of Tilt Brush is on drawing, sketching, and creating artworks, which is one of the most fun lessons there is! Let students draw in the “air”. They can use dynamic brushes and upload their creations to the web. | | |
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