The project aims to develop teaching-learning models assisted by AR/VR that go beyond the confines of traditional classrooms and might potentially change education in rural areas by bridging the digital divide.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras are creating an AR/VR-enabled (augmented reality/virtual reality) learning system for rural schools. The researchers are creating teaching-learning models for the secondary school topics utilising digital technology.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras are creating an AR/VR-enabled (augmented reality/virtual reality) learning system for rural schools.The researchers are creating teaching-learning models for the secondary school topics utilising digital technology.
Merin Simi Raj and Avishek Parui, the project organisers, first developed the first augmented reality-based mobile application named “MemoryBytes,” which documented the history of the transnational Anglo-Indian community over a span of 500 years. According to a press release, the mobile software, which is accessible in Android and iOS platforms, offers an interactive, animated, and augmented experience of photos, maps, and historical documents.
“This project has the potential to redefine learning and education in schools for millions of rural school students across India by creating immersive experiences through AR/VR technology-enhanced pedagogy,” stated Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras.
The initiative could potentially improve education in remote areas by offering virtual access and mobility through portable platforms by creating pedagogic tools employing AR/VR technology. According to the press release, this effort might also help close the “Digital Divide” between students in urban and rural schools.
According to Merin Simi Raj, the initiative aims to provide immersive learning experiences that are both accessible and inexpensive and give users the chance to meet with professionals working in a variety of industries. The initiative aims to develop teaching and learning paradigms assisted by AR and VR that would go beyond the confines of traditional classrooms.
The Centre for Memory Studies at IIT Madras conducts study at the intersection of the humanities, cultural heritage, and technology, according to Avishek Parui. We conduct research on portable XR tools and solutions that are available to students, researchers, and the general public in order to create adaptable, dynamic, and real learning experiences.
— By Divya Swaraj