Revolutionising Science Education Through VR at Palanpur Vidyamandir Trust

VR Lab: Transforming Ideas into Reality

Introduction

In this time where technology continuously reshapes the educational landscape, meraprofVR is setting the example by combining Virtual Reality (VR) into science education. To improve student understanding of complicated scientific concepts with making learning more involving and interesting experience is our mission. The Palanpur Vidyamandir Trust workshop conducted in July 2024 shows our dedication to this mission. We focused on increasing in-depth understanding of students about science subjects, creating tough concepts enjoyable and easier for them by introducing them to an amazing and the latest VR experience.

Workshop Overview

  • Date and Location: The workshop was conducted on 8 July 2024, at Palanpur Vidyamandir Trust, a well-regarded institution in Palanpur. Target Audience: The event was especially designed for students in grades Pre-Primary to 10, encompassing approximately 4000 participants. These grades were chosen as they represent a critical phase in students' academic journeys, where understanding foundational science concepts is key.

    • Workshop Objectives

  • Enhance Understanding: To give students a better understanding of science subjects through VR was one of the main objectives of the workshop.
  • Enhance Engagement: Another objective of the workshop was to increase students' interest in science by creating this subject enjoyable along with interactive.

    • Preparation and Customization

  • Collaboration with School Staff: Before the workshop, meraprofVR’s team worked with the school’s administration and science faculty to change content of VR according to the curriculum. This confirmed that the VR modules get matched with the concepts explained in class that helps in maximizing educational impact.
  • Content Development: Students may sometimes face difficulties in studying science subjects through traditional learning methods. So we developed the VR content keeping in mind these problems. The content was selected focusing on tough concepts like human lymphatic system and the principles of electric motors. These concepts were selected to solve the problems they face in traditional methods.

    • Technical Setup

  • VR Equipment Installation: One day before the workshop, our technical team reached the school to set up the VR stations. This included configuring VR headsets, and it was checked that the content was pre-loaded and was ready to play and also some tests were done to ensure the smooth experience..
  • Training for Facilitators: The coordinators were provided all the details and training on the VR content and flow of the workshop. These all arrangements were very important for conducting the workshop successfully and solving any technical related or education-related queries if any.

    • Tracking Systems

  • Basic Tracking: The setup process is made simple through the cameras given in the standalone headset to track movement. It becomes easier to start VR experience without need of extra equipment through tracking feature.
  • External Sensors: More movements could be tracked through some additional sensors given in some VR headsets and overall experience can be improved through this.

    • Execution of the Workshop

    Opening Session:
  • Introduction to VR: The workshop started with giving the small introduction about the VR technology. In this introduction, how the technology works was described and also its importance in today's education was explained.
  • Setting Objectives: We instructed students about the structure of the workshop and the topics they would see, it helped to set clear purposes for the session.

    • Audio Equipment

  • Headphones: There is facility of immersive sound provided in VR headsets or headphones can also be used separately to get high-quality and realistic sound through which engagement is increased.
  • Speakers: To increase engagement of students in the VR session and improve the experience of VR, sound of the session might also be shared with whole class.

    • Interactive VR Modules

  • Human Lymphatic System: Human lymphatic system was explored by the students in 3D environment in this module. They observed the lymph nodes, vessels and their functions by virtually traveling through the body. It helped students to understand the whole concept and the complete system better than they could learn this through the textbooks.
  • Electric Motors: One more important module that focused on electric motors, which enabled students to deconstruct and reconstruct a virtual motor observing the working principles in real-time. The in depth understanding of electromagnetic ideas and their practical exercises are made easier by this hands on experience.

    • Group Activities and Discussion