IIT Madras to Develop Virtual Reality-Based Education Model for Rural Schools; Check Details Here

IIT Madras to Develop Virtual Reality-Based Education Model for Rural Schools

New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers are developing AR/VR (augmented reality/virtual reality)-based enabled learning for schools in rural areas.

The researchers are creating teaching-learning models for subjects taught in secondary schools in rural areas of the nation utilizing digital technologies.

As per IIT Madras, the aim of this effort is to create immersive and engaging learning environments using VR where students may learn things like History, Social Science, Science, and Languages.

The first AR-based mobile app, named MemoryBytes, was developed by project coordinators Merin Simi Raj and Avishek Parui as a first step in this approach. It documents the history of the transnational Anglo-Indian community over a period of 500 years. The smartphone software, which has versions for both Android and iOS, offers an animated, augmented, and interactive view of photos, maps, and historical documents.

The research may also assist India in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal #4, which instructs all countries to "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all," according to the institute's official statement.

Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, emphasized the need for the industry to support the scaling up of such projects with the potential for profound social impact. "This project has the ability to transform learning and education in schools for millions of rural students across India," he added. "It achieves this by enhancing education with AR/VR technology to produce immersive experiences."

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 statement, this project might also help close the "Digital Divide" between students in urban and rural schools.

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