Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality: How Are They Different?

by Oye Akintan on July 25, 2021

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) hold great promise for the future of gaming, marketing, e-commerce, and a variety of other industries. In education, incorporating these technologies can enhance kids' learning by providing immersive experiences. AR and VR have one thing in common. They both have the incredible power to change our perceptions of the world.

How Are They Different?

To put it another way, imagine interacting with sharks. VR is like scuba diving and swimming with sharks in the ocean, whereas AR is more like visiting an aquarium. The main differences between VR and AR are the gear needed and the experience itself.

What Is AR?

Augmented reality is accessible to almost anyone with a smartphone. By displaying virtual graphics and characters through a phone's camera or video viewer, AR transforms the dull, physical world into a colorful, visual one. It takes our current situation and enhances our existing state of awareness, frequently through clear visors.

With AR, students can dig deeper into this material to better understand concepts or examine an object from several perspectives. For example, if students need to study human body organs, AR can be pretty helpful because it allows them to see the object in 3D. Teachers can explain everything while simultaneously demonstrating all sides of the object in real-time.

What Is VR?

VR can "transport" and move the user around. It takes the same augmented reality elements to the next level by creating an utterly computer-generated representation of a different world. Using specific technology such as computers, sensors, headsets, and gloves, these immersive simulations may simulate practically any picture or place possible for the student.

It takes the user to real-time education rather than bringing education to life. For example, students do not have to physically go to a museum or gallery to learn about something. They can utilize their headsets to understand what they have to know about the history of ancient art. Students who learn with VR technology have a whole sensory experience in which they may virtually touch, see, and hear the content through additional sensors.

How Can AR and VR Help Students?

Regardless of their similarities and differences, these technologies offer a dynamic environment for students. AR is an excellent way for students to expand their knowledge and learn new things. VR, on the other hand, allows them to interact with a made-up environment that it generates. Students may investigate items and examine them in 3D, which improves accuracy.

In addition to offering immersive learning experiences, other advantages of virtual reality in education include the potential to stimulate students' creativity and spark their imaginations. This may encourage them to pursue new intellectual pursuits. Growing research shows that using AR and VR in education, and combining the two technologies to create mixed-reality, can help students achieve better results.

Conclusion

Overall, both technologies have the potential to not only modernize education but also make kids' learning experiences considerably more inventive, fascinating, and engaging. Teachers can use these tools to assist students in understanding complex subjects and gaining practical skills. These two may be more expensive, but the experience and benefits they provide are well worth it.

Want to integrate AR into your kids’ lessons? The Kids Plenty 4D Mobile AR App is a new educational technique that ignites learning in a fun and exciting way. We can also provide you with augmented reality books and educational apps for kids to keep them amped about learning. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

BACK TO TOP