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Enhancing STEM learning through VR & AR technology

place Qatar + 1 more

Educational Technologies

STEM learning relies on hands-on applications. But, certain practical's are challenging to conduct in real-life settings. By utilizing VR and AR technologies to provide 3D experiences, students can better comprehend complex concepts that are abstract and difficult to visualize. These technologies offer more immersive experience, allowing students to interact with simulations in more intuitive way.

Shortlisted
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Overview

HundrED shortlisted this innovation

HundrED has shortlisted this innovation to one of its innovation collections. The information on this page has been checked by HundrED.

Web presence

2020

Established

425

Children

1

Countries
Target group
Students upper
Updated
May 2024
AR and VR technologies can bring a positive change in education by enhancing student engagement, improving practical skills, increasing accessibility to experiments, and providing immersive learning experiences that aid in the comprehension of complex concepts.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

AR & VR labs are becoming increasingly important in STEM schools. These labs provide students with hands-on experience in using cutting-edge technologies to visualize complex concepts, conduct experiments, and develop solutions to real-world problems. AR & VR labs can also foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in STEM careers.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys (QSTSS) has integrated VR and AR technologies into its curriculum to provide interactive and engaging virtual practical activities and 3D visualizations of complex scientific concepts. These labs offer a safe and accessible way for students to conduct virtual experiments and practical activities that cannot be performed in real-life settings due to safety concerns or lack of equipment. Our students have reported positive experiences with the labs, as reflected in perception surveys, and their academic performance has improved across various types of assessments. Additionally, teachers have noticed an improvement in students' practical skills in real lab settings, as they can now practice virtually before moving to wet labs. Overall, the integration of VR and AR labs has been a success at QSTSS.

How has it been spreading?

The achievements over the last 1-2 years are:
1. Improved engagement and interest in STEM topics due to the interactive and immersive nature of the technology.
2. Increased accessibility and safety in conducting virtual experiments and practical activities that cannot be performed in real-life settings.
3. Improved academic performance, as reflected in students' assessment results and teacher feedback.
4. Enhanced practical skills and readiness for real-life lab settings.
Goals for the next 2-3 years are:
1. Expanding the use of VR and AR technology in more STEM subjects.
2. Enhancing the capabilities of the labs to provide more complex simulations and experiments.
3. Encouraging collaboration among students and teachers across different schools and countries through VR and AR technology

If I want to try it, what should I do?

To adopt VR and AR labs, one should identify goals, evaluate readiness, determine budget, design curriculum, train teachers, implement labs, and evaluate impact continuously. QSTSS can be directly contacted for advise about the best practices and implementation plan.

Implementation steps

Identify the goals and objectives:
Define the specific goals and objectives of adopting VR and AR technologies in the educational context, such as improving student engagement or enhancing practical skills.
Evaluate the readiness and feasibility:
Assess the readiness and feasibility of the institution to adopt VR and AR technology, including the availability of resources, technical support, and infrastructure.
Determine the budget:
Determine the budget required to purchase the necessary equipment and software, and consider options for funding and partnerships.
Design the curriculum and activities:
Develop a curriculum and activities that integrate VR and AR labs into the learning experience, aligning them with the learning objectives and outcomes.
Train the teachers and staff:
Train the teachers and staff on how to use the technology, and provide ongoing professional development to ensure they are comfortable and proficient in using the labs.
Implement the labs:
Install the VR and AR equipment and software in the classroom or lab setting, and ensure it is configured and calibrated properly.
Evaluate and iterate:
Continuously evaluate the impact of the VR and AR labs on student learning outcomes and adjust the curriculum and activities accordingly to optimize the learning experience.

Spread of the innovation

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