VR in Education: Does it go together?

Nowadays, virtual reality is more accessible than ever. You only need an VR-bril (available from €19.95) and can immediately start showcasing educational Virtual Reality applications, often for free!

It is important to know that there are differences in the types of virtual reality-bril you use. The cheaper virtual reality-brillen are often headsets where you need to insert a smartphone. These headsets are called 'Smartphone VR headsets'. This is a fun first step into the virtual world, but for the real wów-gevoel experience, it leaves something to be desired. However, a mobile VR headset is very suitable for showing simple virtual reality videos. For example, you can easily display 360-degree videos on YouTube on a smartphone. A fun example of this is the YouTube video 'surrounded by lions'. Another possibility when using a mobile VR-bril is that you can create and play your own 360-degree video. Use a special 360-degree camera camera and play this video on your smartphone while it is in the VR-bril.

Looking for a more authentic virtual reality-ervaring experience? Then you will quickly come across a standalone VR-bril. These headsets are more like the VR-brillen people envision when they think of Virtual Reality. A standalone headset has the processor built into the headset itself. While with a mobile VR-bril you need to insert a smartphone into the headset, this is not necessary with a standalone VR-bril. The big advantage of this headset is that you don't need an (expensive) computer to enjoy a great virtual reality-experience experience. There are already many applications developed that are well-suited for this type of headset! A fun example of this is the VR-applicatie 'Anne Frank House VR'. In this app, you go back to 1942, the period when Anne Frank was hiding in the former Anne Frank House. This is an award-winning educational VR-applicatie that very well demonstrates what virtual reality is capable of and how it can be used for educational purposes. 

An active VR headset refers to a virtual reality-bril that you connect to a computer. These headsets use the computer's graphics card, providing much more graphical power. This results in a much sharper image display compared to a mobile or standalone VR-bril. The right choice of an active VR headset depends on what you want to do with it. For example, are you looking for a VR-bril that you can easily put on and use for basic virtual reality-applicaties and games? Then the Oculus Rift S is a good option. But if you are looking for something more professional and want to develop and play your own applications on the headset, we recommend the HTC Vive Pro.

Regarding VR applications and games, the games are more extensive compared to smartphone and standalone VR-brillen. Because the graphical power of the headset is higher, the applications become much more beautiful and often more extensive. A fun VR-applicatie for the HTC Vive is 'The Body VR: Journey Inside a Cell'. In this application, you literally travel inside the human body and discover which parts are located where and what they look like. 

If you've spent the whole day training to be a space pirate and building fantastic constructions, the Museum is your ticket for a well-deserved break. Surround yourself with sculptures and paintings at a 1:1 scale, and we won't tell anyone if you touch the merchandise! No rope barriers or glass walls here. Feel free to explore the artworks as you wish. With Roomscale VR, you can walk around, dive under, and even hug the life-sized figures.

Download The VR Museum of Fine Art for Steam here (free).

In September 1943, a BBC-verslaggever boarded a plane during an Allied bombing raid on Berlin. The incredible recording he returned with forms the basis of this breathtaking experience from BBC Northern Ireland and Immersive VR Education, placing you in a Lancaster-bommenwerper as it undertakes a perilous journey.

Download 1943 Berlin Blitz for Steam or Oculus here (free).

InMind is a short scientific adventure with arcade-elementen designed for the Oculus VR. This first demo allows the player to experience a journey inside the patient's brain in search of the neurons causing a mental disorder. Dive into the micro-world and experience the wonders of the human mind.

Download InMind VR for Steam or Android here (free).

Experience the most advanced way to learn languages from the comfort of your armchair. Mondly VR is a perfect complement to Mondly's main language learning app, allowing you to practice everything you learn. Our virtual characters show you how fun learning can be! You get instant feedback on your pronunciation, suggestions to enrich your vocabulary, and surprises that transform learning a language with Mondly VR into a unique experience. Engage in realistic dialogues inspired by authentic events: make friends on the train to Berlin, order dinner in a Spanish restaurant, check into a hotel in Paris. Build your fluency in 30 languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and more.

Download Mondly: Learn Languages for Steam, Oculus or Android here (€3.89 - €6.59).

In the legendary Valley of the Queens in Egypt lies the tomb of Queen Nefertari, one of the most detailed windows into the journey of the ancient Egyptians to the afterlife. Now, the latest technology has made it possible to digitally scan Nefertari's tomb with millimetre accuracy. Step into the legendary tomb for the first time and immerse yourself in the story of art, history, construction, and mythology through interactive elements.

Download Nefertari: Journey to Eternity for Steam and Oculus here (free)

The VirtualSpeech-app helps you improve your soft skills by practising in realistic VR-scenario's. The training rooms include public speaking, sales pitches, networking, business storytelling, and media training. By practising with VirtualSpeech, students or learners can practice public speaking in a fun and accessible way. 

Download VirtualSpeech for Oculus and Android here (free).

Sky's virtual reality-ervaring, Hold the World, offers the unique opportunity of a one-on-one audience with Sir David Attenborough.De baanbrekende interactieve ervaring neemt je mee vanuit het comfort van je huis naar het Natural History Museum in Londen, waar je zeldzame exemplaren uit de wereldberoemde collectie kunt bemachtigen terwijl je achter de schermen gaat om gebieden te verkennen die meestal niet toegankelijk zijn voor het publiek.

Download Sky VR: Hold the World forOculushere (€3.99).

Human anatomy is an essential part of medicine. This app represents a unique approach to learning general anatomy. Thanks to excellent graphics, informative content, and innovative features, it offers an educational and engaging experience. The user works in a comfortable and enjoyable environment.

Download Human Anatomy VR forAndroidhere (free).

With Tilt Brush, you can paint in 3D-ruimte with virtual reality. Let your creativity run wild with three-dimensional brush strokes, stars, light, and even fire. Your room is your canvas. Your palette is your imagination. The possibilities are endless.

Download Google Tilt Brush forSteamandOculushere (€19.99).

Unimersiv is the largest platform for educational VR-ervaringen. By downloading the app, you gain access to multiple VR-ervaringen that allow you to learn more about history, space, or human anatomy. With the wide range of educational VR-applicaties, Unimersiv is an excellent app for educational purposes.

Download Unimersiv forOculushere (free).