Libraries and Virtual Reality

An interesting thing to consider is how people learn.  The traditional method of doing school work is to go to class and listen to the teacher talk, read a textbook, and then take a test on the material covered.  Sometimes there might be a hands on activity, but not always.  Education evolves, as everything does, and now we are looking at many different ways to teach things.  Studies have shown that different people learn better with different methods.  There is no one size fits all way to learn something. 

Now, with so many students taking online classes, it is more important to find new ways to learn that do not involve being in a classroom.  One way is using virtual reality.  Libraries, especially academic ones, can provide virtual reality tools, such as Oculus Rift, in order to enhance what students are learning.  They can use virtual reality systems to experience what it is like to be in a particular setting, such as space, or to experience doing something, such as cooking.  Virtual reality is also useful for being able to tour a place that you cannot otherwise get to in person.  Or, perhaps you want to take a tour of a place before going there in person, so as to be familiar with the location.  Here's a virtual tour of London:

Taking a virtual tour can either enhance your in person experience, or it can serve as a substitute if you are unable to visit.  Some universities have virtual tours available for prospective students.  This could be a good way to tour multiple campuses, if you cannot afford to take a trip to visit them. 

Being able to experience things that you are studying is helpful for making the material relevant and memorable.  Libraries that provide virtual reality tools are definitely enhancing students' learning experiences!

Moorefield-Lang, Heather. "Libraries And The Rift." Knowledge Quest 43.5 (2015): 76-77. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.