5 great examples of Immersive Learning done right, to make education fun!

Learning through traditional ways, or even through ‘traditional’ e-learning, is becoming passe. Immersive learning negates the possibility of distraction, by using technology to create engaging, interactive experiences. Several studies have shown that immersive learning by using technologies such as the Metaverse, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) can improve memory retention. These technologies activate episodic memory, the key to high-quality and lasting education.

In earlier blogs, we’ve discussed various aspects of immersive learning, VR learning, game-based learning, and other e-learning solutions. Today, we’re taking a look at five examples of e-learning projects that have used immersive tech to make the learning process more effective.

1. Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips by Discovery Education are immersive and interactive experiences for K-12 students and educators. These virtual field trips cover a diverse range of topics. This allows learners to explore happiness skills, agriculture skills, STEM skills, and many more.

During a field trip, learners and educators physically visit a specific place, such as a museum, a historical site, or a natural setting. They explore, observe, and interact with their surroundings, guided by the experts. 

Virtual Field Trips aims to replicate this experience with the use of technology, for a remote learning experience. They provide a realistic, scalable, immersive learning environment that can be accessed from anywhere, including the classrooms. Using live video feeds, student interaction with guides, pre-recorded tours, videos, and interactive elements, learners can virtually explore and engage with the content as if they were on a field trip. They can immerse themselves in the content as they interact with maps, quizzes, polls, and chat with their peers. 

These technologies help students by allowing them to explore topics hands-on. They provide contextual understanding, allowing them to grasp complex concepts, practice in a safe environment, and connect with experts.

By providing a cost-effective way to have different educational experiences, Virtual Field Trips by Discovery Education showcases the potential of immersive learning to bridge the gap between traditional field trips and remote learning. They offer an engaging and impactful educational experience to students and educators. 

2. The Apollo 11 Virtual Reality Experience

Experience what it was like for the astronauts who landed on the moon in 1969 with the Apollo 11 Virtual Reality experience. Open to people of all ages, this immersive learning experience is for everyone. It will particularly appeal to those interested in space history, science, technology, or adventure will find it particularly engaging.

In this experience, VR recreates the first manned moon landing. Wearing the VR headsets, you engage with the content and gain a first-hand perspective, experiencing an emotional connection to the moon landing event. The 3D computer-generated visuals simulate the moon landing environment, so you experience the event as if you were really there. With haptic feedback, which stimulates the feeling of touch with vibrations and other movements, you feel like you are touching the objects. For example, you can feel the lunar surface as you walk on it. 

The Apollo 11 Virtual Reality experience is an excellent example of an immersive learning project that uses VR technology. It highlights the power of immersive learning to educate, inspire, and instill wonder in people. 

3. Labster

Labster is a digital virtual lab for science education. It offers students an interactive remote learning platform to explore science topics like biology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, and chemical sciences.

Through Labster, students can learn both theory and lab techniques. Labster offers a metaverse of virtual science simulations, lab manuals, lab reports, and 3D animated videos. Students can complete their interactive science simulations from their devices. The platform has over 300 simulations, embedded quizzes, a teacher dashboard, and supplemental resources. These resources include explainer videos, theory pages, graphics, animations, and more. Each lab places students in realistic scenarios where they apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. When engaging with virtual labs, students can enhance their understanding of science theory, develop practical lab techniques, and gain hands-on experience in a safe and accessible manner.

Labster is beneficial for educators as well. It integrates with LMS (Learning Management Systems), such as Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Google Classroom, Schoology, Sakai, and Brightspace/D2L. This integration lets educators seamlessly incorporate Labster’s interactive science simulations into their lessons and assignments. Adding Labster to their regular teaching assignments, educators can enhance traditional learning with immersive technology.

4. The Smithsonian Learning Lab

The Smithsonian Learning Lab provides free access to an extensive collection of resources. The platform is intended for educators, librarians, museum educators, students, and parents.

The digital lab provides educational resources, including images, videos, audio recordings, and text. These cover history, science, art, culture, and more. For example, a search for ‘food’ turns up images of everyday food we eat on Earth and food eaten by astronauts in space.

Students have access to millions of Smithsonian digital resources and tools in the Learning Lab, which they can use to explore their interests and conduct research for homework or projects. Students can upload, adapt, create, and share their work with friends, parents, and teachers. They can discover new perspectives through this hands-on e-learning experience.

Educators can create personalized collections from images and videos or adapt existing resources. It allows them to tailor their teaching resources and cater to various learning styles to foster exploration.   

In The Smithsonian Learning Lab, users learn by doing something themselves. It is an accessible and user-friendly platform with resources for teaching and learning. It effectively showcases the power of interactive tools in meeting the specific needs of the students.

5. Driving simulation

Hornbill FX developed a driving simulator e-learning app for those who want to learn how to drive a car safely. It simulates a drive through different environments and asks players to observe and identify potential hazards that drivers may face on the road.

Four cameras were placed around a vehicle that was driven around multiple locations. The simulator uses footage from these cameras. A realistic driving simulation is thus created, producing an immersive driving experience.

The simulator uses 3D interactive videos and game-based scenarios, making this an engaging experience. Learners feel like they are really driving a car on the road. This simulator, as a supplement to real driving experience, offers drivers a realistic experience of driving around different areas, with unexpected obstacles such as pedestrians, cars turning, and traffic. This simulation offers them a safe, immersive, gamified environment in which they can practice their driving skills. This experience helps them build reflexes and reduces reaction times.

When we worked on this project, we prioritized the usage of technologies such as immersive video and augmented reality to deliver the best immersive learning experience for driver learners. It highlighted the potential for interactive and experiential learning opportunities in the field of driver training and other educational contexts.

From VR to digital simulations to 3D videos to interactive platforms, immersive technology has vast potential in education and skills development. In this blog, we highlight five examples that show the innovative potential of immersive learning. Reach out to Hornbill FX to discuss how you can get the most out of your next immersive learning project.