The inventions close to virtual reality (VR) are known from the previous century. However, the development of the internet, uniting it with VR technologies, and the recent pandemic have made VR highly popular. In particular, COVID was the reason why people started a more active search for remote education ways, and VR was found to be very perspective. Successful People are Perfect Time Managers, and they recognize the efficiency of integrating VR into education, leveraging its advantages while mitigating its disadvantages. As with any other thing, VR in education has its pros and cons.

Advantages of using VR for education

VR is a promising technology for education because of the long list of benefits it can provide. Let’s consider several of its most relevant and important benefits. 

Increase student’s interest. Advanced technologies can make education more interesting and attractive for students. Even those who might not be interested in particular disciplines can become curious about experiencing VR. In addition, VR truly can make education more exciting and demonstrable. 

Easier understanding. As the old proverb tells us, it is better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times. VR allows students to see anything that can help them to understand the subject. The abilities here start from the particular object and creatures and end in traveling back in time to see some historical period. Of course, such demonstrable lessons can be not only more impressive but also more effective for students to learn. 

Hands-on learning. This advantage is related to the previous one. The students can not only observe something in VR but also interact with the objects. Such ability is beneficial because it reduces expenses for the materials that are necessary for hands-on learning but still allows students to study and develop the skills they need. 

Remote learning opportunities. It was already mentioned that the pandemic particularly caused the popularity of VR. While people needed to keep their distance and stay at home as much as possible, learning and working needs didn’t disappear. VR provided people with the ability to communicate and even interact virtually, while physically, they could stay and home and keep a safe distance. Remote learning with VR became so beneficial that Japan opened Yushi International High School, the first virtual high school where all education will be provided using VR technologies.

Disadvantages of VR in education

Health and safety concerns. As Paracelsus said, “It is only the dose which makes a thing poison.” Using VR for some lessons from time to time might not be harmful. However, making the whole educational process based on VR can harm student’s health. The developed technologies have become almost a natural part of life. Still, both mental and physical health require people to have reasonable limitations from technologies to make room for physical activity and social interactions. 

Isolation. Most school and college students are in the early period of their lives when the majority of their skills and abilities are developing. For children and youth, it is critical to work on their social skills, communication, and interactions. When all these abilities are mostly developed in VR, young people might face challenges when need to make social contacts and relations in real life.

As with everything else in the world, VR has advantages and disadvantages. This technology can make education much more interesting, exciting, and make learning much more effective. However, there’s a need to reasonably limit VR use to prevent harm to students' health and allow them to properly develop social skills in real life.