There is very little time left before the start of the new academic year, so we have decided, together with the team of & nbsp; Viber & nbsp; Messenger, to talk about how innovations and promising technological solutions help the development and improvement of the education process.
AR and VR technologies
AR, or augmented reality, is actively used in the teaching of various school subjects. At first glance, it may seem like this is a completely new technology, which is not more than ten years old, but in fact it is much older: it is already appeared in the 60s and 70s and was used for the first time in the space and aeronautical industries. . For many years, augmented reality has been the lot of scientists or, occasionally, artists. With the proliferation of smartphones, it is now a part of everyday life: people all over the world, young and old, play augmented reality games in apps and apply funny filters on social media.
In education, AR helps visualize what one could only imagine before. For example, animate a picture from a history textbook using an application or program on a computer, see how a living cell works in the ; 3D space, and not only read about a chemical reaction, but also see right away. & Nbsp;
VR, or virtual reality & mdash; more complex and expensive technology that will not be widely used in schools in the near future. The main reason why & mdash; high-tech equipment (VR headsets), necessary for this innovation. However, experiments on the use of virtual reality in education are already actively being carried out in Russia and abroad. The results are impressive.
For example, in 2019, the NTI Center prepared school children for the OGE in physics using VR technologies and in the usual way. Comparing the results of the children, the scientists found that the learning process using virtual reality is paying off: the concentration of the VR group has increased by 20% and by 15% – & mdash; quality of information perception.
AR and VR isn't just about utility and information, it's about emotions and engagement. With their help, schooling can become a truly exciting process, and sometimes quite an adventure. For example, on subscription-based educational platforms, older children can experience augmented reality, and toddlers & mdash; interact with virtual animals and other objects. & nbsp;
A huge plus for VR & mdash; the inability to erase something, because the student is wearing a special helmet. Of course, in addition to that, there are other, more interesting advantages: full immersion in the material, a feeling of presence, the involvement of the student. For example, in the InMind and InCell apps, the child “ moves '' inside the brain or human cells in order to see in a visual form what processes are occurring in a living organism. Have the option to 'touch' at what seemed abstract, it's easier for guys to visualize complex concepts and understand how even complex systems work. Similar VR chemistry lessons are also available as part of Mel Science's lab work: in virtual reality glasses, schoolchildren can see how substances interact at the molecular level, and by removing them you can & nbsp; watch a real life experience.
Artificial intelligence
AI, or artificial intelligence & mdash; it is global and very extensive technology. For example, in education, AI speech recognition can be useful in learning foreign languages. Special applications based on this technology can partially replace a tutor, and in combination with virtual reality it can be a full-fledged immersion, for example, in a linguistic environment, although virtual.
But the main advantage of AI technology is & mdash; the ability to automatically adapt the training program based on the success of the child. It makes the learning process more efficient and fun. AI-based solutions are already widely used in schools. For example, in the Belgian province of Flanders, the “intellectual” a training platform based on the Century system from the British IT company Century Tech. After enrolling in a computer program, the student takes a test in which their interests and strengths are determined. After that, the AI gives the child tasks that help him to fill his knowledge gaps and develop his existing skills. Teachers can track the progress of children's learning data online. According to Century Tech founder Priya Lakhani, thanks to the innovative system, teachers have up to six hours per week, which means they can devote that time to a more personalized approach to students. & Nbsp;
Messengers in formation
Now it is absolutely impossible to imagine our life without instant messaging and various communication apps. But, apart from helping us keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues at all times, they are now also a great assistant in learning.
For example, Viber messaging allows you to perform many tasks related to the learning process. Thus, it is possible to give lessons remotely using group audio and video calls up to 30 people with no time limit. The feature proved particularly relevant during the lockdown period and remains in demand now.
Messenger & mdash; great place to have hands-on group chats like class chats, parent chats, parent-teacher chats & nbsp; & mdash; with their help you can quickly solve many problems: from collecting money for repairs to discussing how to prepare for school holidays. Chat polling features let you trigger polls on important questions like what gifts to buy or where to organize a shared class trip while on vacation.
Also in the messenger there are various education and study themed communities and educational chatbots that can be of use to students and their parents. There you will find a lot of useful information for the educational process and its organization, as well as for developing various skills in an exciting format, for example, learning a foreign language in a fun way and gradually expanding your vocabulary.
Careful planning & mdash; & nbsp; an important part of our daily life and our studies. We are also talking about writing daily homework & nbsp; and, for example, creating playlists for the summer or important tasks to remember, for example buying a gift for the teacher or calling grandma. In order not to be distracted by a separate application, task lists can also be created in the & mdash; using the 'My Notes' feature Not only will you write down everything you need, but you will also receive reminders at the right time. & nbsp;
Digital education must continue to the smallest detail, & nbsp; so that the student is fully immersed in it.