Using AR/VR Technology for Educational Research

Now, imagine a world where education isn’t confined by the four walls of a classroom and the pages of a textbook — where students have the ability to dive into learning experiences that make even the most complicated ideas come alive. This world is rapidly becoming a reality with the help of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies. For education technology scholars and researchers pursuing PhD in India, AR and VR are more than just buzzwords, they are indicative of a disruption in educational research methodologies promising more engaging, effective and personalized learning experiences.

Augmented reality (AR) adds to the real world by laying digital information on top of it — imagine pointing your phone at a historical monument and an interactive timeline pops up. Virtual reality (VR), in contrast, places learners in entirely simulated contexts, for example, performing scientific experiments in a virtual laboratory or doing surgical operations with no risk. This fusion has given rise to novel research methodologies, enabling scholars to do what could never be done in a traditional classroom.​

In the case of education technology PhD in India, AR/VR is changing the research modality in certain aspects. PhD candidates (such as Drs. Sheffield, Tobin, Dever, Gabara, and Goldsmith) working on a variety of customizable systems to support adaptive VR tutors, AR-enabled collaboration tools, and inclusive learning experiences for students with differing abilities. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) encourages conjoining such immersive technologies with classrooms which advocates engagement in learning and thinking critically. Research initiatives are increasingly focused on the effect of AR/VR on students’ motivation, cognitive abilities, and long-term memorization -- recent studies point to a 75% gain in retention in STEM subjects when these tools are effectively utilized.

With a CAGR of 15.7%, AR/VR education market size is anticipated to grow to USD 116 Billion by 2035. This growth is propelled by developments in AI, 5G, and cloud-based platforms that make immersive experiences accessible to all, including remote education in rural India. But there are challenges, in particular high hardware costs, scaling teacher training, and ethical issues related to screen time and data privacy. Indian researchers and institutions are teaming up with EdTech startups and technology providers to overcome these obstacles and making AR/VR a frontier rife with potential for groundbreaking PhD research.​

“AR and VR are changing education by delivering immersive, interactive experiences that allow users to retain knowledge better and develop skills.”

For education technology PhD hopefuls in India, research in AR/VR offers a distinctive route to impact the future of learning. Anushram provides expert advice to help you make sense of this changing field—whether it’s developing cutting-edge research questions, designing methodology, or getting published in premier journals. The opportunity this technology presents to revolutionise pedagogy and research practices is vast, and if you, as a scholar, can be part of that process then you will drive education to be more inclusive and engaging tomorrow. Begin your immersive research adventure today with Anushram and lead the way in AR/VR educational innovation.