VIRTUAL REALITY

By:
Vanshika Singh
Zamzam Khan
MME (2018-2020)
Semester-2
What is virtual reality?
Virtual reality (VR) is an interactive computer-generated experience taking place
within a simulated environment. It allows users to explore and interact within a
three-dimensional, computer-generated environment.
It incorporates mainly auditory and visual feedback, but may also allow other types of
sensory feedback. This immersive environment can be similar to the real world or it
can be imaginary.

The effect is commonly created by Virtual Reality (VR) headsets consisting of a head-
mounted display with a small screen in front of the eyes, but can also be created
through specially designed rooms with multiple large screens.

Current VR technology most commonly uses VR headsets or multi-projected

environments, sometimes in combination with physical environments or props, to
generate realistic images, sounds and other sensations that simulate a user's physical
presence in a virtual or imaginary environment. Once inside the immersive
environment, users is able to "look around" the artificial world, move around in it,
and interact with virtual features or items.

VR systems that include transmission of vibrations and other sensations to the user
through a controller or other devices are known as haptic systems. This tactile
information is generally known as force feedback in medical, video gaming, and
military training applications.
What is a Virtual Reality Headset?
VR headsets are a form of heads-up display (HUD). They allow users to immerse
themselves in imaginary environments via a first-person view (FPV). The user’s
everyday world is replaced with games, movies, or pre-recorded 360-degree VR
environments.

Apps created for these devices can either be mobile or tethered. These feature
technology such as gaze tracking, infrared sensors, gyroscopes, and accelerometers
that naturally move the users’ point of view. Stereo (for mobile apps) and surround
or 3D sounds (for tethered apps) are also present in these types of apps.

Some of the most popular VR headsets on the market today include:

PlayStation VR – The images

shown on this headset are Oculus Rift – This headset has
reproduced on a TV. You can positioning technology for
use the PS4’s DualShock 4 physical movement in 3D
controller
. and the PlayStation spaces, as well as touch
Camera together with the controllers.
PlayStation VR.
 HTC Vive – The Vive has dual base stations that enable users to freely move through a
15 x 15 ft area. It gets its input when connected to a gaming PC.

Dell Visor – With 1440 x 1440 resolution per ReTrak Utopia 360° – Designed to work
eye and a 90 Hz refresh rate, users can with a smartphone, this headset enables
experience 360-degree views with low users to choose from hundreds of VR-
latency. compatible apps.

Samsung Gear VR – The Gear VR

utilizes Oculus VR technology and
is compatible with the Galaxy S6,
S7, and Note 7 models
How does virtual reality work?
Currently, VR headsets receive input from two different sources: an HDMI cable that
is either connected to a PC or console or a smartphone. The former applies to
headsets such as the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift, while the latter is used with
Google’s Daydream and Samsung’s Gear VR headsets. You can also connect other
devices—such as head and hand tracking, controllers, and voice input—to your VR
headset.

Once you’re ready to use your VR headset, here’s what happens inside of it:

There are either one or two screens per eye that receive two feeds, as well as
autofocus lenses that are positioned between your headset’s screen and your eyes.
These can be adjusted depending on both eye movement and positioning. Their
other functions include picture focusing and reshaping for each eye, and tilting two
2D images to produce a stereoscopic 3D image that emulates how our eyes view the
world.

Several VR headsets have a minimum 100- or 110-degree field of view for a more
immersive VR experience. As for the image produced by these devices, a minimum
frame rate of 60fps is required to make it convincing without making the user feel
sick.
The Different Kinds of Virtual Reality

Window on World

Typically using a desktop monitor rather than an HMD, it can be used for the
simulation of a number of training scenarios. It allows its user to visualize complex
procedures such a surgeries, colonoscopies. This particular Virtual Reality system is
perfect for the field of medicine.

Immersive System
By removing its users from the physical world, and placing them in a virtual world,
the sharp visuals and crisp audio delivered via the HMD can help them escape
everyday life and explore a far-off land.
Telepresence
Telepresence is exactly what it sounds like: tele, “at a distance”, and presence, “being
present”. The sensors are therefore controlled and operated remotely by the user.
Consider bomb disposal robots, undersea exploration, and drones as being operated
via telepresence VR.

Mixed Reality
This is where computer generated inputs are brought together with the previously
mentioned telepresence inputs or the user’s view of the real world to create a
valuable output.

This could be a fighter pilot’s view of maps or key data points displayed inside his
helmet, or a surgeon being able to view real-time patient information during a
complex surgery while wearing an HMD.
What are the uses of virtual reality?
Virtual reality is present in numerous fields, such as entertainment, marketing,
education, and medicine, although gaming remains one of the most popular uses for
the technology.

For instance, military forces use VR for flight, battlefield, and vehicle simulations, as
well as medic training and virtual boot camp. It also helps them reduce training costs
and recreate training conditions safely.

VR is widely utilized in both mental health and medical training, and is used to treat
post-traumatic stress, anxiety, phobias, and depression. Both medical and dental
students have taken advantage of this technology, as it enables them to practice
surgeries and other procedures.

In the field of education, VR enables students to interact with each other in 3D

environments. Museums, the solar system, and historical time periods can be
“visited” remotely with the help of VR. The technology can also encourage children
with special needs to practice their social skills.

Virtual Reality In Education

Virtual field trips

Virtual field trips have become one of the most popular applications of VR technology
for learning, and many schools have begun using Google Expeditions to transport
students to faraway and even inaccessible parts of the planet.
The Google Expedition app is free to download on IOS or Android and teachers can
invest in some of the low-cost cardboard headsets that can be attached to a
smartphone. With these simple headsets, students can actively explore anything
from Machu Picchu to outer space or the deep sea.

Language immersion
One of the best ways to learn a new language is through full immersion, as this
requires students to listen to and speak the language they’re learning all day, every
day. Since most of us can’t afford to jet off to another country for weeks or even
months at a time, virtual immersion is the next best thing. Virtual reality simulations
can trick the brain into thinking the experiences are real, and a number of new
language learning apps that use VR are now being developed.

One such app is Unimersiv, which can be used together with the Oculus Rift headset.
The app allows learners to connect with people from all over the world and practise
their language skills while playing games and interacting with other students in a
virtual world.
Skills training
Virtual reality simulations can also help students learn practical skills, and one of the
biggest benefits to training people in this way is that students can learn from realistic
scenarios without the risk of practicing an unfamiliar skill in an uncontrolled real-life
situation.

Philosophical theories
Even philosophical theories can be brought to life with virtual reality. The Sevenoaks
School in the United Kingdom recently started using VR headsets in its philosophy
lessons as a way to introduce students to French philosopher Rene Descartes’ dream
argument. In his one of the most influential philosophical texts ever written
“Meditations on First Philosophy” he begins with the claim that dreams and waking
life can have the same content. He asked, “Is it conceivable, that I might be dreaming
all the time? What if our life is nothing more than a simulation?”

At Sevenoaks, they used the VR kit to great effect in order to vividly experience this
alarming possibility. The virtual reality headset provided a way of the students being
able to see just how immersive and 'real' a simulation could feel. Blurring the
boundaries between reality and illusion, the experience engendered a provocative
discussion, and helped bring philosophy back into life.
Architecture and design
Schools are also finding that virtual reality technology is a great way to spark
students’ creativity and keep them engaged, especially when it comes to architecture
and design. The Oculus Rift hardware makes it possible for architects to take
computer-generated 3D models and place viewers into those 3D models in order to
bring their plans to life. At a primary school in Ireland, students have even been using
VR to construct 3D models of historical Irish sites and then visit them virtually.

Special education
The Jackson School for special needs students in Victoria, Australia has been using
the Oculus Rift headset with students in the classroom. Technology and special
education instructor Mathieu Marunczyn explains that the Oculus Rift has helped
spark his students’ imagination and gives them a visual insight they wouldn’t
otherwise have. For instance, students can take a peek inside an Egyptian temple or
view a jet engine to gain an understanding of how it all fits together, which makes
lessons a lot more hands on.
Marunczyn also notes that structured
lessons with meditative virtual reality
apps like those that explore planets
and stars tend to have a calming
effect on his students, many of whom
have some form of autism.
Distance learning
Virtual reality technology also has huge potential in the distance learning industry,
and a recent study from Penn State University researchers showed that VR
technology can improve learning outcomes for online students.

Stanford School of Business is already offering a certificate program delivered

entirely through VR, and at the University of British Columbia Law School, students
are enjoying virtual reality lectures using a VR social application called VR Chat. The
application provides virtual online chat spaces where students with a VR headset can
project themselves and interact with lecturers and other students.

Improved collaboration
Virtual reality technology has the potential to greatly enhance collaboration between
teachers and students, both in distance learning and classroom-based teaching.
Research shows that virtual and augmented reality simulations increase student
motivation and improve collaboration and knowledge construction.
One study conducted in a virtual world called Second Life allowed teachers to design,
create and use collaborative activities to introduce exchange students to Chinese
language and culture before they went abroad. The students showed improvements
in key areas including reduced embarrassment when practicing their language skills
and better social interactions between students.

Game-based learning

Virtual reality will likely completely

change the way games can be used for
learning. Game-based learning works
because in increases engagement and
motivation, and virtual reality can take
this to the next level.
Jane Wilde, an instructor at Marlboro College in Vermont who has been using games
and simulations in her lessons for some time now, notes that although virtual reality
games are not the only source of fun and engagement in class, they can make a
substantial difference.

Virtual campus visits

Technology is changing the way students select universities and many schools have
now started virtual reality campus tours as a way to connect with applicants on a
wider scale. These campus ‘visits’ allow students to see what it would be like to
attend universities in other cities and countries even if they can’t visit in person.

The virtual reality tours use photos and videos of campuses and their surroundings
that enable students to explore the campuses at 360-degree angles. For instance, the
University of Michigan Football program now has a virtual reality tour that lets
students experience what it’s like to play at the university’s stadium.
Virtual Reality In The Classroom: Pros and Cons

Advantages Of Using Virtual Reality In The Classroom

1. Provides Outstanding Visualizations That Aren’t Possible In The Traditional

Classroom.

Virtual reality is great because it lets us explore different realities and alternate our
experiences. By wearing a VR headset, you're encountering high-quality visualizations
that can mark you in a positive way. Visualization help us learn better.

The traditional teaching methods can never reach such an effective way of
emphasizing things through visualizations.

2. Creates Interest.

No matter what age they have, students will always love to sit and watch something
instead of reading it. The VR technology is quite interesting, as it can create amazing
experiences that could never be “lived” in the real life. Students will definitely feel
more motivated to learn with the use of this technology.

3. Increases Students' Engagement.

Nowadays, teachers find it real hard to create a productive engagement within the
class. With the virtual reality technology present in the education, this aspect will
forever disappear, as most of the students will feel tempted to talk about their
experiences within their virtual reality.

4. Doesn’t Feel Like Work.

Placing a headset on your head and watching stuff flash before your eyes, learning
new information through videos and amazing visualizations, doesn’t involve too
much work. If we can make education fun, kids will love to learn more stuff and be
more ambitious.

This is basically a general rule. When we enjoy doing something, we will do it with
more interest, we’ll do it better, and we won’t feel like we’re doing something
painful.

5. Improves The Quality Of Education In Different Fields.

Take medicine for example. In 2016, innovative doctors are taking advantage of the
VR technology in order to explore new aspects of medicine and teach others better.
Another example would be the content writing and editing field. Virtual reality can
often help at find mistakes in content and provide awesome editing features.

6. Eliminates The Language Barrier.

The language barrier is often a big problem when it comes to education. If you want
to study in a different country, you must understand and speak the language. With
virtual reality, every possible language can be implemented within the software.
Therefore, language will no longer represent a barrier for student’s education plans.

Disadvantages Of Using Virtual Reality In The Classroom

1. Deteriorates Human Connections.

While virtual reality can be a great asset for most of the existent fields of activity, it
can also be a huge disadvantage. The traditional education is based on personal
human communication and interpersonal connections. Virtual reality is quite
different; it is you and the software, and nothing else.

This can damage the relationships between students and the overall human
communication.
2. Lack Of Flexibility.

If in class you can be flexible, ask questions, receive answers, using a virtual reality
headset is a different experience. If you’re using specific software which has been
programmed to work exactly the same, you won’t be able to do anything else except
what you’re supposed to do.

This lack of flexibility can be a disadvantage for most of the students, and that’s
because education isn’t a fixed activity. It always fluctuates.

3. Functionality Issues.

Like with any programmed software, things can often go wrong. When things go
wrong, you students’ learning activity is over until the tool is fixed. This can be quite
expensive and also inconvenient.

So if a student has exams the next day and his virtual reality headset goes boom, he
will be unable to study and pass that exam. This was just an example; it can happen
differently any time.

4. Addiction To The Virtual World.

The possibility of students getting addicted to their virtual world is also big. We’ve
seen what video games and strong experiences do to people. We can even take drugs
as a good example; if what people experience is better than their normal existence,
there’s quite a big chance of them becoming addicted.

5. Quite Expensive.

Advanced technology is often expensive. If we wish to expand this virtual reality

trend and reach the masses, we have to spend billions of dollars on these features.
More than that, the modern education that takes advantage of the virtual reality
environment will only be accessed by the rich ones. The poor will not afford it;
therefore, we will create inequality in education.
6. Virtual Reality Sickness

With, VR apps and headsets users have encountered problems like experiencing
“virtual reality sickness,” the most common symptoms being headaches, nausea, and
vomiting, among others.

Conclusion
As we have probably noticed, the virtual reality environment is consistently evolving.
It could bring dozens of benefits to almost any field, but it can also prove to be
harmful. Per total, I believe that the modernization of education through the use of
virtual reality can be quite a productive accomplishment.