Why Use AR and VR for Home-Schooling?

Flexibility is among the most significant benefits of AR and VR, allowing you to utilize a phone, tablet, headset or computer. Although top-of-the-line equipment may improve learning outcomes and be more fun, the basics are accessible to any home-schooler.

In standard classrooms, students are subject to the same slideshows, homework and tests. AR and VR are different — they personalize education. Even if students are in the same virtual environment, their experiences remain individualized because of their unique interactions.

AR and VR can even positively affect memory. In one study, the VR group retained 92% of the learning material — much higher than the other group’s 76% retention rate, suggesting students are more likely to remember immersive and engaging lessons over text-based materials. 

“Between 2019 and 2022, the number of home-schooled students increased from 2.5 million people to 3.1 million.” 

How to Use AR and VR for Home-Schooling

More people are flocking to home-schooling than ever before. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of home-schooled students increased from 2.5 million people to 3.1 million. AR and VR use cases will expand as they become more popular. 

AR Use Cases

AR technology gamifies learning — meaning it introduces game mechanics. You could use it for home-based learning by introducing scoring, progression or competitive elements into the curriculum. For instance, you could turn tests into boss battles, rewarding learners with avatar customization items or points if they do well.

Home-schooled students can study virtually every subject with AR, whether they take music, physical education or science classes. An example would be displaying an augmented graphic of sheet music, an agility ladder or human DNA to give them something to interact with. 

VR Use Cases

VR technology lets home-schooled students immerse themselves in a virtual environment. You could take advantage of this feature by simulating memorable experiences for them, such as visiting the Egyptian pyramids, exploring the solar system or watching the tectonic plates in action.  

Regarding simulation, VR also lets home-schooled students get hands-on experience in realistic environments. It allows them to play instruments in an orchestra, dissect a frog humanely or stand at the edge of a volcano eruption. No matter the subject, they will learn better when they apply their knowledge in real time. 

“Research shows VR improves students’ academic performance and lessens their mental workload.” 

Are AR and VR Effective Learning Tools?

Numerous studies have shown AR and VR are excellent tools for learning. While the conversation about their educational benefits mainly concerns public schools, the same concepts apply to home-schooling.

AR’s Effectiveness in Education

Since AR keeps students grounded in reality while they learn, it increases engagement and attentiveness. Research shows it improves students’ academic performance and lessens their mental workload, proving more effective than similar technologies or media forms.

VR’s Effectiveness in Education

VR has an exceptional impact on learning by positively impacting educational development for K-6 students, regardless of the subject area. According to research, it is more effective than computers and semi-immersive technology.

What Makes AR and VR Revolutionary?

Students who learn using AR and VR are more likely to be engaged and interested in the subject matter. Instead of sitting through hours of lectures, they connect with the learning material meaningfully, opening doors to new experiences they would not have otherwise.

One of the most revolutionary aspects of AR and VR is their interactivity. Unlike distance education or traditional home-schooling — where students connect over a monitor or not at all — they meet in virtual spaces. 

Few other technologies allow them to interact with the world through touch, zoom and rotating elements in the virtual environment. These hands-on experiences translate exceptionally well to an educational space. 

While computers, tablets and smartboards make education fun, students must still sit in one place. AR and VR are revolutionary because they enable physical movement — and an active lifestyle contributes to a well-rounded education and better learning outcomes.

“VR learning is 3.75 times faster than classroom learning and nearly twice as fast as e-learning.” 

Since VR learning is 3.75 times faster than classroom learning — and nearly twice as fast as e-learning — it increases students’ chances of achieving higher scores and better retention.

Another revolutionary aspect of AR and VR involves creativity. You can create, share and occupy virtual environments. Whether you design a whimsical museum or a physics-bending playground, your only limitation is your imagination. It inspires ingenuity, encourages exploration and makes learning fun. 

How to Source AR and VR Equipment

There are multiple ways to source AR and VR equipment for home-schooling. Here are five ways to obtain these resources.

• Find Grants and Programs

Various companies and federal agencies offer learning grants for home-schoolers, some of which provide funds for AR or VR implementation. While finding and applying to them is time-consuming — and success isn’t guaranteed — it could be worth the effort.

• Source Affordable Alternatives

The average VR headset costs about $427 in 2024 and will only drop $3.34 by 2028. If you cannot afford a higher-end model, consider more affordable alternatives. Cardboard headsets may be less fun or practical, but they do the job. 

The same concept applies to learning materials — AR and VR have countless free or reasonably-priced educational apps available. Use the affordable resources available if you cannot afford to build your own or use a quality program. 

• Partner With Local Groups

If you start or join a local home-schoolers group, you can ask everyone to pitch in funds to lower costs. While this approach takes more effort than others, it can be beneficial in finding other virtual classmates. 

• Get Equipment Second-Hand

AR and VR technology have existed for a long time, so older models are now reasonably priced. If the price tags are still too high, consider sourcing your equipment second-hand through online swaps or thrift stores. 

• Consider Special Accessories

Remember, you might need additional equipment — like controllers or gloves — for some use cases. Considering how 23.1% of parents say they home-school because their child has a disability, accessibility accessories might also be a significant consideration. 

The Transformative Power of AR and VR

AR and VR have the potential to transform homeschooling permanently. Soon, it could turn from a solitary experience into a collaborative, immersive one. You will probably see the day when every home-schooler has a headset before long. 

Also Read How AR Can Be Used to Improve Math Literacy

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Emerging AI-powered innovations could even make next-gen microscopy more accessible to doctors worldwide. Here’s how AI is transforming and improving microscopy and sample analysis. 

Augmented Reality Microscopy

“What if doctors could look at a sample on their microscope and immediately view analysis data on the slide? That’s the goal of a cutting-edge collaboration between Google and the U.S.” 

Department of Defense. The project integrates deep learning AI into a next-gen microscope for real-time sample analysis displayed in augmented reality. 

Google designed this technology for rapid cancer diagnosis. The Augmented Reality Microscope, or ARM, analyzes cell samples in real time directly on the microscope. Then, it displays the analysis results as an AR overlay on the images. The doctor or researcher can view the sample and analyze data without transferring the images to a computer or mailing the sample for analysis. As a result, they can get a diagnosis within minutes rather than days. 

The ARM project is still in its early stages since launching in 2020. The technology remains too expensive for widespread adoption. However, the plan is for ARMs to become more accessible down the road. In addition to decreasing in price, this technology could also be adapted to analyze different types of samples or diagnose more conditions. 

What’s particularly exciting about this application of AI in microscopy is Google’s plans for the technology. Right now, the ARM prototypes are unique, specialized devices. In the future, Google aims to condense this technology into an attachment any doctor or researcher could add to their conventional optical microscope. With a single accessory, someone could transform it into a next-gen AI microscopy tool. 

AI-Powered Computational Microscopy

Microscopes are incredible devices, but like any technology, they have limitations. A doctor may need to use a combination to get comprehensive results. For instance, a standard optical microscope might be fine for basic visual sample inspection, but a researcher might need a fluorescence microscope to gather more detailed data on different objects or molecules in their sample. 

What if doctors and researchers could do everything from one microscope or do more with low-cost equipment? Many smaller labs and university researchers can’t afford to invest in expensive, specialized microscopes. AI can help them expand their capabilities so they can collect more data from a single microscope and rely less on costly equipment. 

“Computational microscopy uses AI to enhance image quality without changing imaging hardware.” 

Researchers can increase resolution, depth of field, contrast and more purely through AI software. As a result, they can capture more accurate, useful images with low-cost hardware. 

Unlike some other emerging applications for AI in microscopy, computational imaging is already becoming accessible to the masses. It’s widely found in today’s consumer smartphones. For example, Apple uses AI software to improve and automate image quality and processing. 

Researchers can do the same thing with microscopes. Computational microscopy could make cutting-edge imaging and sample analysis more accessible to doctors and researchers worldwide, particularly those without the funds for more advanced equipment. 

Rapid, Automated Sample Analysis

Sample analysis is one of the top applications for AI in microscopy. These images can be complex and time-consuming to analyze, posing a major hurdle for small teams or situations requiring rapid results. For instance, analyzing samples for medical applications can significantly extend the time it takes to get a patient’s diagnosis, delaying the start of potentially life-saving treatment. 

AI can resolve these challenges. AI and machine learning are fantastic tools for analyzing data. It’s repetitive and based on identifying consistent patterns and indicators, making it perfect for automation.

“Doctors and researchers can use AI to analyze microscopy images in a fraction of the time manual analysis would take and identify more trends and insights along the way. ” 

For example, doctors use AI data analytics to speed up medicine discovery and development. They can have AI autonomously monitor changes in a sample over time or use computer vision to analyze images captured on a microscope. AI condenses tasks that would normally extend the research and development process by weeks or months. This allows researchers to develop a medicine far more quickly and with fewer resources and team members. 

AI and the Future of Microscopy

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how researchers, scientists and doctors use their microscopes. With the help of AI, they can increase their microscopes’ capabilities, rapidly analyze samples, diagnose patients in minutes and streamline medicine development.

The applications for AI in microscopy could also one day make cutting-edge sample analysis accessible to the masses with low-cost, high-tech tools like AI microscope attachments. These scientific advances can lead to improved medical research and health care outcomes.

Also Read Augmented Reality: Why Businesses Need AR Strategy

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Extended reality encompasses virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR). Here are some exciting and fulfilling digital interactions that can occur if you use XR with AI. 

1. Generating 3D Images

“Researchers have combined AI with augmented and virtual reality applications, resulting in images that are 3D with better contrast and color.” 

Even as augmented and virtual reality applications become increasingly widespread and advanced, one of their shortcomings is that you’ll still only see two-dimensional images when using them. However, researchers at Stanford University are trying to change that by using AI to create 3D content. They believe their results could be more visually realistic and less prone to causing eyestrain than current offerings. 

The research team created a neural holographic display by training an AI neural network to mirror the real-world physics of whatever people saw when they used the device. This approach created real-time images. The group developed a calibration strategy that provided nearly instantaneous feedback to improve the output, too. 

They used an AI algorithm and the calibration technique and ran them at the same time as the images people saw while using XR. This method generated improved visuals that were clearer, more colorful and had better contrast. The imagery was also highly realistic. 

This innovation could influence industries and applications ranging from education to manufacturing. It could be especially beneficial for allowing people to experience rich, immersive content that helps them do their jobs better or learn faster. 

Consider an example where medical students use VR and AI to learn about the human body and how specific organs work. 3D images are particularly helpful for giving people accurate perspectives that could eventually influence their patient care decisions. 

2. Increasing Workplace Engagement

“Many companies use AI and XR applications for employee onboarding, continuing education or giving workers safe, controlled environments where they can practice challenging conversations and get near-immediate feedback.” 

Technological advancements have significantly increased the chances that people will attend hybrid events for work instead of going to those that solely occur in person.

Depending on the ticket a person purchases, their experience may solely consist of online gatherings and events, or it could have a mixture of online and offline activities. 

The rise of XR also means that people are more likely to stay engaged and entertained throughout the event. Many organizers plan gamification elements, such as scavenger hunts or opportunities for participants to earn points for meeting people or otherwise taking part in the various diversions. Donning a VR headset or pair of AR glasses could provide people with more memorable experiences, even if they’re primarily participating in workplace conferences by sitting in front of their computers at home. 

Many companies are also using AI and XR applications for employee onboarding, continuing education or giving workers safe, controlled environments where they can practice challenging conversations and get near-immediate feedback. 

Imagine a situation where you use an AR application to learn to operate a new industrial machine and see a virtual safety checklist floating in front of you before you begin. AI algorithms might also tailor the content to your current knowledge level, allowing you to skip over the overly basic or irrelevant material. 

A company called Striv, which specializes in VR training for workers, also uses generative AI to improve its immersive scenarios. That approach enhances the associated animations, storylines and more. 

3. Reducing Geographical Barriers

“Telepresence robots allow you to be in two places at once, and you can control some of them with VR headsets.” 

Ever wish you could be in two places at once? XR and AI applications can allow that, specifically if they involve telepresence robots. These machines typically feature bases that move freely within various indoor environments and attached screens that show a user’s face or an avatar of themselves. You might use a telepresence robot if a chronic illness makes attending work or school daily challenging.

In such cases, the robot is physically in the room with your colleagues or fellow students while you’re in an off-site location but visible on the robot’s screen. French company Pollen Robotics offers Reachy, a telepresence robot you can control while wearing a VR headset. The machine works over a reliable internet connection, and your distance from Reachy has no bearing on how well it can perform its tasks. 

Reachy can do everything from writing documents to playing games. Telepresence robots like this one are costly, but they could be life-changing if you often find that geographical boundaries prevent you from engaging with others. 

Authorities in the Japanese city of Kumamoto plan to use telepresence robots to address student absenteeism due to anxiety or bullying. These machines will have cameras, microphones and speakers that enable two-way interactions between users and others. Previous studies in this area indicate this high-tech approach to learning can help students feel more self-confident and eager to learn.

Exciting Opportunities to Merge XR and AI

Applications that combine extended reality and artificial intelligence are not yet widespread. But the three examples detailed here illustrate why exploring and capitalizing on options that use both technologies in single applications makes sense. Doing that could help people enjoy highly realistic experiences that help them learn, grow and improve their connections with others. 

As more decision-makers become interested in these technologies used together, the ways to try them should become more accessible — and perhaps more affordable. 

Also Read 3 Manufacturing Issues and How AR Can Solve Them

The post 3 Ways AI and XR Convergence Is Revolutionizing Digital Interactions appeared first on AiiotTalk - Artificial Intelligence | Robotics | Technology.

How does AR accomplish these feats to improve math literacy worldwide?

Vary Learning Modalities

Most mathematics education is visual learning with an audible element. Students watch teachers write out the steps to solve an equation as they explain the process. However, this doesn’t attach to every student in the same capacity, especially for students who learn differently. So, how can you incorporate more hands-on and varied learning styles in the classroom in math — the answer is AR.

AR technologies can immerse you in math problems, providing memorable, tactile experiences in a previously two-dimensional learning environment. 

“Instead of forcing students to rely solely on memorization of nebulous concepts, AR can provide students with visualizations and immersion to understand abstract ideas with spatial awareness.” 

Students could manually handle axes on a graph or see how world problems play out with their provided solutions — reattempting if necessary. These technologies destroy barriers for different styles of learners while providing broader accessibility options.

Decrease Mental Resistance

No student is equally motivated or gifted in any given subject. Mathematics is one of the most intimidating subjects, which could incite trouble for STEM employers in the future. Employing AR to make learning more interactive and fun will lower mental friction. AR can instill an attitude shift in learners, mainly if 3D models through AR glasses simplify complex trigonometry by allowing students to manipulate shapes and see changes in angles in real-time.

Adding more technology to the classroom entices learning, especially in tech-dedicated generations. New students are used to engaging with the world through technology, and if that’s absent in the math classroom, they will not feel as willing to participate. AR is one tool to add variety to an otherwise stale curriculum, and it’s only compounded if teachers find other technologies to include to innovate the lessons more.

If the math doesn’t stress out students, they will have an easier time grasping concepts and motivating themselves to try — and possibly challenge their skills.

Prepare Everyone for the Workforce

Every sector will be tech-dominated in the near future — this means math and tech literacy are necessary, whether you’re an artist or scientist. AR is a practical medium that primes students for careers. 

Many students feel the school doesn’t adequately prepare them for working life, and one reason for this might be the absence of modern tech tools in school walls. EdTech’s encouragement of AR could give students accurate simulations for medical residencies and computer programming internships for a more personalized learning environment. 

“AR improves math literacy by revealing a greater sense of urgency to become math and tech proficient — students who want a stable job will persist with math studies because AR tools reflect how workforces operate with new tech.” 

AR reeducates teachers in the same way. Tenured instructors may have fallen into complacency, following the same lesson plans for decades. You could be unfamiliar with what incoming students need to equip themselves for a tech-focused job market. In this way, AR bolsters math literacy twofold — with students and teachers. Educators will inevitably find new ways to apply math that’s more meaningful to learners and their job aspirations because tech innovations reveal new strategies yearly. 

Gamify Education

In an extension to mental resistance, students feel fatigued or frustrated learning math because school isn’t inherently pleasurable or leisurely. 

“However, AR encourages experimentation and exploration with a lens students crave — making math education like a game.” 

AR could make multiplication tables an experience students desire to level up, regardless of how repetitive it can be. AR designers could code software to resemble mobile gaming to make it even more approachable. Math games in AR could be role-playing games with students solving geometric puzzles to enter new realms, or it could be as simple as achieving a high score in a fast-paced quiz game.

A side effect of this technology is promoting healthy competition, and raising morale and camaraderie. Most would assume AR or gaming would be a primarily solitary activity. But, it can stimulate mathematical discussions among students as they discuss improving their game. It expands educational opportunities outside the teacher’s hands, giving more agency to students to form their math literacy in a way that doesn’t feel so formal.

Using AR as Math Motivation

AR could reinvigorate student interest in mathematics. For years, math felt intangible, and now students can visualize equations and witness their impact on everyday life. Programs can act out word problems or present interactive flash cards. No matter the application, you can find ways to expand mathematics education with AR.

Also, Read Future of 3D and Augmented Reality

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AR is similar to virtual reality (VR) but superimposes digital displays over the real world instead of fully immersing users in a virtual one. You may be most familiar with it in the form of smartphone games like Pokemon Go, but it’s seeing rising adoption in business circles, too. Here’s how you can use this technology to promote employee engagement.

Making Data More Accessible

One of AR’s most substantial advantages is it can show you a virtual display without blocking your view of the real world. Enterprise AR solutions — either in smartphone apps or headsets — use this ability to make critical information available when employees need it. With AR-based guides or workflow visualizations, you can pull up what you need without looking away from what you’re doing.

“Enterprise AR solutions make critical information available when employees need it.” 

Many repair and maintenance companies use AR to give field workers easy access to various repair procedures. Instead of flipping through a paper manual or looking at a digital one on their phone, technicians can see step-by-step instructions in front of them with AR glasses. That way, they can keep working without distraction or disruption.

Streamlining potentially complicated workflows like this makes it easier for employees to stay engaged in their work. Work feels less disruptive or frustrating when you don’t have to look away to get the info you need.

Connecting Remote Workers

You can also use enterprise AR to help improve remote collaboration. Virtual laboratories have been around for 20 years, but now virtually any industry can capitalize on these technologies. AR lets people in different areas see the same data or 3D images in their own environments, making collaboration easier despite the distance.

Some AR solutions can also provide real-time translation services. As someone talks, an intelligent algorithm can translate it, then display it through AR as subtitles over the view of the speaker. This helps remote workers overcome language barriers to work together.

Remote work on its own can help you boost employee engagement, as workers may feel more comfortable working from home. AR tools take those benefits further by enabling remote work with the collaborative benefits of in-person work.

Improving the Onboarding Process

Another way you can boost engagement with AR is to integrate it into the onboarding process. Just as field technicians can use AR headsets to gather important information, new hires can use them to see instructions during hands-on training. This can offer faster, more engaging training by letting workers start trying things first-hand with easily accessible guides to help them.

AR-based training is ideal for positions that may entail hazardous workflows. By using AR to simulate potentially dangerous environments, employees can get a feel for the job before actually encountering hazards. The perception of safety affects recruitment and retention, so this can be a crucial first step in the onboarding process.

Using AR to guide new employees also reduces your staff burden. You won’t need to dedicate as much time or other workers to training recruits, helping all team members stay engaged.

“Trainees can use AR to see instructions during hands-on training.” 

Creating Engaging Reskilling Programs

The same things that make AR great for training new employees make it ideal for reskilling. Career advancement opportunities play a significant role in engagement. If staff members don’t feel like they have much room to grow in a company, they’ll find it hard to get invested in it. You can avoid those feelings if you use AR to offer exciting and helpful reskilling programs.

Just as you use AR to show new hires how to work in a specific role, you can use it to train existing employees in new skills, workflows, or departments. This could be part of an optional career development program or a standard part of your workflow to create a more well-rounded workforce.

Reskilling is particularly valuable for manufacturers and other industrial businesses. As automation rises, reskilling the workforce will become increasingly essential and AR can help ensure that process remains engaging.

Gamifying Workflows and Goals

You can also use enterprise AR solutions to gamify your team’s workflows. Most people associate AR with gaming — thanks to the rise of mobile AR apps — and cutting-edge technology like this has an inherent novelty that appeals to people. Consequently, integrating it into regular workflows can make work feel more exciting and fun.

Studies show engagement can increase by 48% after implementing gamified motivation. You can capitalize on that by using AR to introduce novel, gamified elements to break up the everyday routine.

It’s vital to avoid over-using AR and other gamified elements. It could feel tedious or forced if it takes up too much of your team’s regular workflows, leading to the opposite effect. However, careful use of AR and similar technologies can make workplaces more exciting and thus engaging places to be.

“Engagement can increase by 48% after implementing gamified motivation.” 

Integrate AR Into Your Business Today

AR in the workplace is still a relatively new concept, but it is growing quickly. If you take advantage of the growing field of business-oriented AR technologies, you can foster higher employee engagement. You’ll then enjoy higher productivity, retention, and job satisfaction.

Also, Read Why Business Need AR Strategy

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1. Decreased Productivity

Keeping productivity levels high is essential for today’s manufacturers. Otherwise, you could fail to meet tight production deadlines, resulting in upset customers. However, AR can target many aspects that cause reduced productivity, helping workers perform at their best. 

In one case, factory workers dealt with a complex wire harness assembly with nearly 300 connections. Before the facility started using AR, the workers’ process involved moving back and forth between an assembly station and a computer monitor that showed complicated instructions for employees to follow. This caused an inefficient workflow that often made people assume ergonomically unfriendly positions that could lead to strain.

Company leaders worked with a service provider to develop an AR solution that let workers see the instructions directly inside their glasses. This hands-free option allowed employees to view real-time instructions for each point in the assembly process. 

An analysis of the results showed greater efficiency for experienced workers and a shortened time-to-proficiency metric for new hires. Additionally, the ergonomics associated with the process improved because people no longer had to move between the computer screens showing the instructions.

Workers with immediately accessible details about their tasks are more likely to do their jobs quickly and with fewer errors. The results of using AR can positively impact quality control metrics and help employees feel more confident in their work.

“Some AR solutions let employees see instructions directly inside their glasses, giving them hands-free resources” 

2. A Persistent Labor Shortage

It’s often hard to get the workforce numbers needed for adequately staffed facilities. The industry has high turnover rates due to the strenuous work, the long hours and the fact that many employees are leaving the workforce after reaching retirement age. Some people also perceive manufacturing as an unattractive sector to enter. Many job candidates can find options providing more flexibility and a better work-life balance for similar pay.

One 2022 study from The Workforce Institute at UKG revealed that nine in 10 manufacturers have difficulty filling open roles. Another takeaway was that the leaders surveyed estimated they had appropriate staffing numbers for only 11 days out of every year. 

However, AR can address these issues by making training faster and more effective. In one case, an augmented reality training solution allowed people to aim a tablet at a car’s dashboard and see underneath it without removing any physical components.

Augmented reality can also position your company as being on the cutting edge of technology. Job shadowing is a common practice used by people who want a glimpse of working in a particular industry or role. They follow a current employee around for at least a day to understand what it’s like to work at a company. That option can help them decide if a career is a good fit for them. 

Imagine if someone visits a manufacturing plant and sees employees using AR glasses. They could then realize that the sector is more desirable than they previously thought. 

“AR can make worker training faster and more effective.” 

3. Long Time Frames Associated With Equipment Downtime

The unexpected outage of critical manufacturing equipment can be devastating for your workflow. Depending on the nature of the problem, it may not be possible to fix it right away. That’s because it takes time to schedule a technician to come to the plant, order new parts, and have them installed. However, AR can accelerate this process and even remove a formerly essential step. 

Some companies have augmented reality platforms that allow clients to show remote technicians what they see when examining a machine. They can see what’s happening and advise clients on how to handle it. They might walk them through certain troubleshooting steps or take other specific actions that may make site visits unnecessary.

Such solutions can also help well-known brands maintain the top-class service customers expect from authorized service providers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, automaker Porsche used augmented reality to connect service technicians in the field with people at the company’s headquarters. This approach shortened the problem resolution time by up to 40%. 

It also improved communications between field technicians and support team members at Porsche’s headquarters. Instead of making lengthy phone calls to describe or address issues, technicians could send screenshots. They’d receive technician bulletins or other instructions directly on the surface of their AR glasses. 

“AR can accelerate the equipment repair process by eliminating some site visits.” 

AR for Manufacturing Is Worth Consideration

The outcomes described here represent compelling reasons you should consider whether augmented reality could help your plant overcome obstacles. Deploying it takes time and effort, but devoting adequate resources to using that technology in a factory could result in long-term gains that help manufacturing brands stay competitive.

It’s also important to ask employees about their experiences of working on the factory floor. You don’t always have accurate perspectives of what that’s like if you spend much of your time working behind the scenes or sitting at a desk. However, getting feedback from workers is an excellent way to learn about their specific difficulties and how AR could help solve them. 

You should set aside ample time for people to learn to use any AR solution. Changes to workflows can often be unsettling, but employees usually find adjusting is more manageable with thorough and well-paced training.

Also, Read How Augmented Reality Helps Students Understand Concepts Easier

The post 3 Manufacturing Issues and How AR Can Solve Them appeared first on AiiotTalk - Artificial Intelligence | Robotics | Technology.

“AR can benefit students by making the imaginary more visual, providing context for complex topics” 

It’s time to embrace the increased technology used by younger generations and use it to their educational advantage.

What Is AR in the Classroom?

AR allows students to superimpose audio and visual elements onto real environments. They can use the technology to see how big animals would be or what would happen during a particular chemical reaction. The number of AR devices is expected to be around 1.4 billion in 2023, only to keep increasing.

Students actively use more of their senses with AR. Instead of listening to a lecture and optionally taking notes, incorporating AR makes them use their body. Students may stand up and walk around their environment, retaining additional information about the subject matter because the sounds and visuals are more relevant. 

Students could use all these tools on smartphones or tablets. Here are some of the most popular applications making AR seamless in classrooms:

• Merge Cube
• Assemblr
• Narrator AR
• Wonderscope
• Grib
• JigSpace
• CoSpaces Edu

These firsthand experiences with materials hold students’ attention, making it easier for educators to teach effectively. About 80% of students are more likely to report to a class that utilizes AR. It attaches to the younger generation by appealing to their sensibilities, creating a unified learning experience with fewer disruptions.

How Does AR Help Students Learn?

Students pursuing higher education need digital literacy. They are highly proficient in operating phones, but it doesn’t necessarily correlate to their mastery of other technological devices. Engaging with AR gives students more opportunities to experiment with new technology, further preparing them for higher education or the programs they will use in their professional life.

Collaboration and student engagement are streamlined with AR. AR provides an avenue to decrease shyness and anxiety for students struggling with team exercises. Technology adds another layer to an otherwise intimate learning experience, potentially forcing students who don’t know each other well to create solutions productively. 

Educators could also join in on the adventure, engaging with students in the AR environments as a guide. It could also improve student-teacher relationships, creating a sense of trust and autonomy as they navigate these worlds independently.

Some educators may worry about funding AR materials. However, there is cost-effectiveness to AR that some overlook. Most students have smartphones, making the cost minimal if they download apps on their phones or school-sponsored laptops to complete assignments. However, some students may not own phones, and teachers may need to consider creative solutions to ensure the classroom has equal access. This means fewer dollars spent on crafting supplies and books that sit on shelves collecting dust.

It also helps simplify complex concepts. This could help level the field in classrooms, especially in assisting students with special needs or others with difficulties, such as spatial awareness or motor skills.

“Appealing to different learning styles with AR may help create a stronger foundation for certain subjects so lesson pacing is more consistent” 

It can also encourage creativity. The extra stimuli from AR could unlock ideas in students’ minds that a traditional lecture cannot provide. It could let them create interactive presentations or utilize social media in healthy ways to adjust to more beneficial habits.

What Are Ways to Incorporate AR in Lessons?

Envisioning what AR looks like in a classroom is highly individualized, depending on your student makeup and lesson plan priorities. Distilling why you want to incorporate AR will only help students understand concepts better.

You may have a personal resolution to make your classroom more fun. You might also recognize subject areas in your niche that you aren’t as confident in teaching effectively and want to find ways to incorporate AR to supplement those lessons. 

Regardless of if you’re teaching in grade school or higher education, there are countless ways, depending on the subject, to incorporate AR:

• Math: AR could supplement textbooks by providing three-dimensional visualizations of geometric concepts, such as shapes, angles or axes.
• Sciences: Students could witness what happens when compounds form, or they can modify molecular structures to create their own reactions — with no potentially dangerous repercussions.
• Engineering: Before building a bridge, students could see if the materials chosen would provide the structural integrity they need.
• History: Certain historical events are becoming more removed from modern generations. AR could help students visualize things they have trouble conceptualizing, like the fall of Rome.
• Medicine: Simulations could assist aspiring surgeons in testing a complicated procedure before trying it on a human.
• Theater: Apps can be used to visualize set designs or lighting setups. This saves programs time and money by not wasting materials that wouldn’t work for the production.

Augmented Reality as a Learning Tool

Digital learning has been normalized in the last couple of years, and educators should accept the benefits of implementing new technologies. Innovations must encourage new and developing minds to stay engaged in learning materials. AR is a prime opportunity to see how well teachers can adapt and maximize the value of education in the modern age.

Also, Read The Future of 3D and Augmented Reality

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One category of technology expected to have a significant impact on health care is virtual reality (VR). While VR is often associated with gaming, it has numerous applications in the medical field. Healthcare practitioners are exploring some VR applications, one being VR simulations for surgical training.

Learn more about VR, its role in a modern operating room (OR), and whether or not VR-based surgical training is effective.

An Overview of VR in Health Care

VR is a relatively new technology that combines software and hardware to provide immersive simulated environments for its users. While it seems realistic to users, it’s an all-enveloping and artificial experience that obscures the natural world.

Outside of the healthcare sector, VR is proving itself as an extremely useful innovation across a range of industries, such as retail, manufacturing, real estate, tourism, and construction.

For example, retailers use VR to create novel shopping experiences. Real estate agents conduct virtual home tours for prospective buyers. Some of the world’s most fascinating museums offer VR field trips for students. As you can see, VR will only become more widely used in the coming years.

VR also has several healthcare applications, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

• Helps with pain reduction strategies
• Simulates health conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, and migraines, so doctors and other medical professionals can feel firsthand what patients are experiencing
• Improves patient rehabilitation, physical therapy, and motor functioning
• Assists older adults with memory and cognitive function
• Addresses mental health disorders such as anxiety, PTSD, depression, and phobias

These five applications provide a glimpse of what VR can achieve in health care. One application missing from the list, but no less significant, is the use of VR for surgical procedures and training.

How VR Assists With Surgeries

Patients require surgery for many reasons, such as to relieve or prevent pain, improve bodily function or diagnose a medical condition. Some operations determine whether or not a patient survives, making surgery a critical aspect of modern health care.

Researchers, scientists, doctors, and other medical professionals must have the latest technologies at their disposal, which is why VR is now used by plenty of healthcare professionals nationwide.

“Modern VR allows surgeons to look inside a patient’s body before procedures, enabling them to complete procedures more efficiently.” 

The George Washington University Hospital uses an advanced VR tool – called Precision Virtual Reality by Surgical Theater – for neurosurgery and thoracic surgery. Amazingly, the tool enables surgeons to peek inside a patient’s brain and body before performing a surgical procedure. As a result, surgeons can operate more efficiently and the tool improves their situational awareness.

Many other hospitals and medical professionals are leveraging VR. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford’s CHARIOT program has VR available in every unit to distract young patients and keep them engaged when undergoing various hospital procedures.

Modern Surgery Needs New Training Methods

VR-based solutions in health care are changing the industry for the better. However, another VR application in the sector is surgical training for medical students and seasoned clinicians.

According to pediatric orthopedic surgeon and CEO and co-founder of Osso VR, Justin Barad, MD, suggests that modern surgical training is 10 times harder to learn than it was in the past. Barad claims that traditional procedures might have a learning curve of around 10-20 cases, meaning students must operate on 10-20 patients to become proficient.

However, minimally invasive procedures and those using modern robotics typically require around 50-100 cases to achieve proficiency. Ultimately, medical students must scrub into as many surgeries as possible to gain direct experience and actively participate in patient care.

“Minimally invasive surgeries or procedures using modern robotics typically require students to complete around 50-100 cases to achieve proficiency.” 

How can students become skilled in these procedures without access to new training methods? This is one reason why Barad and his colleagues founded Osso VR. The company offers a VR-powered surgical training and assessment platform for aspiring surgeons.

Is Using VR an Effective Method for Surgical Training?

Using VR for surgical training sounds ideal on paper, but the real question is: How effective is it?

According to a systematic review from the Journal of Surgical Research, immersive VR incorporation in surgical training programs is supported by high-quality studies and offers these benefits:

• Improved procedural times
• Positive user ratings, citing high satisfaction and low discomfort
• Task completion and accuracy
• Cost-effectiveness

At the Williamson Medical Center in Tennessee, Dr. Cory Calendine is the chief of orthopedic surgery and an orthopedic surgeon and founder of the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. In a recent interview, Dr. Calendine said he was immediately impressed with Osso VR’s training technology.

“Students can practice procedures on their own time without posing any risks to patients.” 

Dr. Calendine finds VR training so promising because students can practice procedures on their own time and without posing any risks to patients. Additionally, Dr. Calendine acknowledges that the platform measures performance and proficiency at all training levels, which is highly valuable.

VR for surgical training has the potential to be highly effective, but only if aspiring and experienced surgeons can access the necessary VR software and hardware.

Unfortunately, the U.S. suffers from uneven access to technology, particularly in the education sector. While VR equipment is becoming increasingly affordable, some medical students will face barriers to accessing VR tech, thus missing out on these revolutionary training opportunities. As for the future, more research is needed to continue measuring VR’s effectiveness in surgical training, but now, its future looks promising.

Expect VR to Become a Staple in Future ORs

Anyone in the medical field knows that surgical training is ongoing, even for the most experienced surgeons. Aspiring and veteran surgeons can greatly benefit from VR-based surgical training methods.

Since VR is still in its early stages in health care, it’s uncertain whether or not VR-based surgical training is as effective as traditional training methods. It’ll be interesting to see how VR changes health care and surgery and whether it helps create the next generation of skilled surgeons.

Also, Read How VR Technology Can be Used to Improve Retail

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Bringing VR into the classroom offers several benefits for educators and their students. It supports active learning, sparks creativity, encourages student interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topics and places students in immersive learning environments. How do teachers typically use VR for educational purposes?

Explore the best ways you can use VR for your students.

“Schools using VR allow teachers to bring their students on a virtual field trip to some of the world’s most popular locations.” 

1. Take Virtual Field Trips

Traditionally, educators had the opportunity to take students on field trips to museums, planetariums, zoos, national parks and other places. However, these excursions became less frequent due to limited school budgets and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Schools using VR allow teachers to bring their students on a virtual field trip to some of the world’s most popular locations. Google Art and Culture Expeditions is useful for educators interested in virtual field trips. 

2. Explore Outer Space

Anyone can travel into outer space and beyond in only a few seconds with the right VR hardware. Students can learn about stars, planets, solar systems and what it’s like to be an astronaut. Many of the best VR space experiences are highly interactive, so students will remain engaged and retain information better. 

3. Create Interactive Classroom Activities

One VR application, Flipgrid, allows educators to offer interactive activities for students by printing QR codes. Teachers can visit the Flipgrid dashboard to select a topic they want to cover. The app will print a QR code and the teacher can place it anywhere in the classroom. 

Suppose students have access to laptops or tablets, two increasingly important digital tools in the classroom. In that case, they can scan the QR code using the device’s camera and complete the activity accordingly.

“Students can use headsets to experience what a real-life job interview is like and develop skills along the way.” 

4. Engage in Role-Play Learning

VR is becoming increasingly affordable, but private schools are more likely to have the latest technologies than public schools. However, students in both settings have different learning styles. 

One teaching method is role-play learning. Combining this with virtual reality is a great way to use VR in the classroom. For instance, students can use headsets to experience what a real-life job interview is like and develop skills along the way.

5. Visualize Scientific Concepts

VR can be used in a classroom to teach students more about scientific topics. For example, they can roam among the dinosaurs, see the world from an animal’s perspective or experience kinetic energy transfer on a roller coaster. There are limitless scientific applications in the real world. There’s no better way to teach students about these concepts than with an immersive VR experience.

6. Study a New Language

Learning a foreign language can be challenging. However, being fluent in more than one tongue is a valuable skill for students to develop. Kids can interact with each other and practice speaking a new language without experiencing pressure or nervousness like they might with strangers. ImmerseMe is a popular VR educational tool to assist you with teaching a language.

7. Develop Practical Skills

Many schools offer home economics, cooking or life skills classes. These courses allow students to gain practical skills they’ll need for the rest of their lives. VR can also assist kids in these classes. They can follow recipes and cook meals independently if the classroom has no kitchen. They can also learn how to change a tire with VR. See what practical skills you want to teach and explore what tools will help you do so.

“If they read a particular book, you can assign them to recreate its setting.” 

8. Build Fictional Settings

Another engaging way to use VR is to create fictional, immersive environments for your students. For example, if they read a particular book, you can assign them to recreate its setting. This will evaluate their level of reading comprehension and allow them to use software to create a VR environment.

Leveraging VR to Create Exceptional Learning Experiences

VR has many applications in an educational setting, and this list contains some of the best ways to use this revolutionary technology in the classroom. Students will feel more engaged with your curriculum, get excited about going to school and may even retain information better. If you’re interested in VR, consider introducing it into your classroom using some of these suggestions.

Also, Read How VR Technology Can be Used to Improve Retail

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“Most people do not recognize that they use AR already– AR works in photography apps, filters, and other real-time games. ” 

In business-to-business settings, applications abound; an example is the navigation display, now part of car models.

In this article, we detail more factors and reasons how AR helps businesses to grow. Its role in delivering information, structuring data, and managing companies should take centre stage in the years to come.

Augmented Reality: How It Helps Businesses

Augmented reality, according to Harvard Business Review, “allows people to process the physical and digital simultaneously, eliminating the need to bridge the two mentally.” 

It does more when applied to business applications because it intertwines digital information with the actual physical material advertised to consumers.

How does this work? In contrast, engineers had to work with complex 2-D blueprints to secure steel construction structures for a ship in the past. 

With AR, final designs can already be superimposed on the carrier vehicle, even reducing actual inspection time from more than 30 hours to 90 minutes. 

Imagine the impact it brings not just to shipbuilding but to an entire plethora of fields. AR will help significantly in increasing productivity in manufacturing as an example.

Consumers Can Now Try Products Before Buying Them

In the cosmetics and skincare industry, AR apps allow customers to view how they might look given the purchase of select makeup products. This AR application is an excellent way to market various products and services.

There are also existing retail apps in interior design that lets customers design their homes given the selection of furniture on sale. 

AR in this context provides opportunities for personalization and customization, but it also engages loyal and prospective clients alike. The same example exists in various clothing stores, too. 

AR for Solution-Oriented Products and Services

Businesses that use their solutions and with their design teams also use AR. For example, a water company used smart glasses on a mobile app to render repair services.

These AR solutions drive more companies, experts, and vendors to share their expertise, even on a remote basis. With the help of AR technology, business owners can already manage even matters like safety better.

AR enables live support among many technicians and remote staff in terms of workforce management. These services also reduce a lot of manual work and introduce more streamlined, improved processes – making business operations smoother. 

Additionally, isn’t it exciting that there might be no more need for bulky materials like complex instructions and manuals with the way AR transforms these solutions and collaborations? The applications alone can already do that for both the businesses and their partners. 

The Use of AR Application in the Education Sphere 

Companies that capitalize on human resources and training provisions also benefit from AR. For example, anatomy programs are already for medical students, taught using 3D holographic.

Innovations like this in training save time, effort, and resources. Employment development programs also use AR nowadays, giving them better learning experiences than traditional textbooks, flashcards, and lectures. 

Additionally, companies may opt to hire a consultant to develop AR applications specifically for employee onboarding. Such moves will help boost workplace operations, promote employee welfare, and be a cost-cutting method. 

AR Helps Create Customer-Centric Experiences

Another practical application of AR is to create various experiences for customers. Beyond just trying out makeup, clothing, or furniture, AR helps users enjoy meaningful experiences with services and products.

Businesses must use this feature to leverage how they use platforms like social media to continue to offer unique experiences (e.g., interacting with dragons while deciding on hairstyles).

AR as Business and Marketing Strategy

Other than the aforementioned examples of augmented reality in action, AR marketing helps businesses as a matter of strategy. 

Storytelling in action, done by big names in the writing industry, also uses AR to attract more readership; this is why digital and online work is now available. 

Businesses now also use VR apps for marketing purposes. Through AR, companies can now execute Know-Your-Customer (KYC) initiatives and other ways of promoting services, products, and overall branding; reinventing products is a top trend in marketing approaches. 

Beyond that, companies can do an organizational overhaul with AR. All cost-reduction efforts, strategic positioning, and review of operational efficiencies can all improve. AR as a strategy also redefines the value chain of a business and addresses existing gaps in its workflow.

Therefore, with AR as both a marketing and operational strategy, companies can boost existing strengths and develop ways to customize their products and services.

The Bottom Line

With a billion smartphone users today, the world is really for the taking for companies from various fields. By consulting AR professionals, businesses can now jumpstart collaborative projects to transcend sales and transform lives.

An excellent way to look at AR is the catchphrase, “You have to try this!” With AR, something is always new – an experience or a product. 

Use this to leverage your business.  It is no wonder that companies have now started to see the value of digital modelling capabilities, for one, as part of the skill set some of their workforce and teams must-have.

Augmented reality is here to stay because it helps businesses and real people with real needs. It is convenient, fast, and revolutionary in many ways, and its power and potential, entrepreneurs must harness.

A word of advice to businesses: Watch out for how your company grows with AR integration over time. 

Invest as early as now in scouting talent with skills in AR development, like user interface and user experience (UI/UX) designs – these are all critical already in this day of digital information dissemination. You won’t regret it. 

Also, Read Why Businesses Need AR Strategy

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