The world of education is changing all the time. Many parents alive today grew up without things that today's students take for granted – things like smart boards and online homework portals.

The next frontier for education is extended reality (XR). This is an umbrella term for a range of technologies that create virtual simulations of real life.

In augmented reality (AR), virtual objects are overlaid on reality. In virtual reality (VR), the user experiences full immersion in a lifelike world.

These transformative technologies can be a powerful tool in education. They can change the way students learn. They enable teachers to focus on providing interactive experiences that are light years away from traditional textbook learning.

It's been around for longer than you might think. The mid-1990s saw virtual field trips – and art teachers were using AR in the classroom as early as 2013.

But the world of XR as a whole had a huge boost during the pandemic as schools and other educational institutions were forced to problem-solve and use tech for remote learning. XR for education is an extension of this – and it's developing all the time.

In training, where XR solutions have already been deployed, the results seem largely positive. One piece of research says that 40% of "v-learners" reported a boost in confidence compared to their classroom-based counterparts.

They also reported an improvement in being able to act on what they learned – an indication of how this tech is all about the practical applications of learning.

How can XR be used to educate?

If you want to teach somebody how a jet engine works, what's the best way to go about it?

You could show your class a video. You could get them to find out in books or online and to report back to the class. Or you could take them on a guided tour of an airfield.

People learn in different ways – but it's widely accepted that learning through doing can be highly effective. That guided tour might be your best bet, but it's expensive and tough to organise.

XR could create a holographic classroom and fill it with 3D objects. What kinds of objects? Well, what do you want? You could show your students a jet engine, or the Rosetta Stone, or the Marina Trench.

Rather than simply being told how something works or what it looks like, learners would become active explorers. This would do wonders for their engagement.

Sounds fantastical, right?

No. It's real. It's here. And it's ready to transform education forever.

It's called SimplyVideo Stage – our brand-new immersive learning platform. Let's take a look at what it can do.

Introducing SimplyVideo Stage

At SimplyVideo, we're passionate about using XR tech for good. That's why we've created an XR-enhanced video link platform that can boost remote collaboration in industries from healthcare to manufacturing, from construction to energy.

Now, we're turning our attention to boosting learning outcomes in schools and other institutions. We're doing this through Stage, our virtual learning platform that runs on AR and VR.

The concept is simple. The teacher puts on a headset and "conducts" the lesson. Learners engage with this virtual world through tablets.

This isn't a gimmick. It's a way of making lessons more engaging. And we believe that "more engaging" means more memorable and more fun.

What can these virtual classrooms be?

Stage's virtual classrooms can be used in pretty much any subject. Teaching history? You can create a lifelike simulation of Stonehenge or Tutankhamun.

In geography, you can simulate geological formations. In science, students can rotate a 3D model of the human heart, or a Mars rover, or a steam engine.

These are just a few of the myriad possible applications. The beauty of XR is that it can realise your vision. Whatever world you want to create, you can.

Learners explore these virtual worlds – but they also interact with them. They can inspect and handle these 3D objects with a sense of engagement that traditional lessons sometimes struggle to afford.

Another advantage of Stage is that the lessons you create can be stored on the cloud for later. Learners can rewatch them at any time, from any location. 

What about intellectual property?

At this point, you might be wondering what happens to the lessons you lovingly create and store on the cloud. How secure are they? Who do they belong to?

You retain all the rights. These lessons belong to you and no one else. We take this very seriously.

Could there be a virtual school?

You might be surprised to learn that the answer is "yes". But you'll probably be even more surprised when we tell you that one already exists.

Yes, the Optima Classical Academy is a school for third- to eighth-grade students in Florida. It opened its doors in 2022 and, in its own words, uses "digital textbooks, audiobooks, videos, and rich media experiences to present information".

They emphasise the benefits of VR for knowledge sharing: learners share these virtual experiences "in real-time with their classmates and instructors".

VR lessons at OCA include virtual trips to ancient Pompeii, an imagined Martian city and the inside of an atom.

Meanwhile, the Setanta School in Dublin has been using an autism learning app called Floreo since October 2022.

These headsets help learners with autism practise life skills like crossing the road and visiting an airport.

Teachers at the school say that most students responded positively to the experience.

And in Bedford, England, children at Race Leys Junior School are using VR headsets to swim with sharks, visit the pyramids and get a closer look at Van Gogh's paintings.

We're delighted to be part of this movement towards more experiential learning in the classroom. SimplyVideo Stage is a great way to create engaging, memorable and enjoyable lessons.

Interested in finding out more about Stage, our virtual learning platform? Let's talk. Drop us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.