| | 8 October 2019HIGHERReviewIN MY VIEWVR AND SMARTCLASSESCAN BE THE SMART CHOICES FOR LEARNINGBy Shtakshi Tyagi, Senior Education Consultant, Veative LabsThere has been a notable change in the ways students learn over the past few years, since the advent of technologi-cal advancements. From e-learning and mobile learning to smart learning, classrooms have evolved and are not confined to traditional methods of imparting knowledge. It is evident that digitalization is having a profound impact on education. With the world literally at their fingertips, today's students need schools and teachers to re-envision the role of technology in the classroom. 21st-century learners are increasingly displaying new behaviors, skills, and expectations. Therefore, it is time to avail learners with new opportunities, by using emerging technologies, such as Virtu-al Reality and Augmented Reality, to further enhance the educa-tional experience. Classrooms will now be seen as immersive and interactive spaces for smart learning.Learning is the focus, and technology is just the conduit. VR provides a smart learning environment that puts learners at the forefront. VR-based immersive and experiential learning has the potential to create a deeper level of engagement with target top-ics, in a distraction-free environment. Such an environment cre-ates chances for focus and attention on concepts, possibly height-ening retention. Studies suggest that VR is playing a crucial role in creating excitement, maintaining enthusiasm and piquing the interests of students. On-the-go mentoring with a proper dos-age of AI, neural networks, and smart technologies, will con-tinue to enhance this immersive, multi-directional interactive learning environment.Shtakshi has completed her M.Ed, M.Sc and B.Ed from institutes of good standing in India. She has worked as a school teacher and also mentored pre-service teachers in a college devoted to teacher training. She has received the Presentation Award at a National Seminar conducted by the Indian Society of Analytical Scientists, Petrotech Society, in 2011. She was acknowledged for meritorious participation in the International Conference on India's Scientific Wisdom: Emerging Worldview, in 2016. In addition, the prestigious Sri Baljit Shastri Award for the Best in Human & Traditional Values was conferred upon her, by Amity University in 2017. Shtakshi TyagiPotentialities of Virtual Reality Virtual reality has the power to enhance the way students learn and more easily understand difficult concepts in new and amazing ways. It can connect students with hands-on experiences
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