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The world of 3D modeling and virtual environments might sound high-tech, but it’s becoming an exciting tool for educators. By creating immersive, interactive worlds, teachers can bring lessons to life, engage students on a deeper level, and offer hands-on experiences that traditional classrooms can’t match.
November 5, 2024
Here’s a simple guide on how 3D world-building can support education, complete with examples, tools, and evidence for why teachers should consider incorporating it into their classes.
Think of virtual worlds as digital field trips. Instead of showing students a video or photos, you can guide them through an interactive environment. For example, a history teacher could build a virtual ancient city where students can walk through the streets, see the architecture, and even interact with historical artifacts.
Example: A virtual tour of Ancient Egypt where students can explore the Pyramids, enter a temple, and view ancient artwork in context. This type of immersion makes learning feel real and relevant.
Tool to Try: anitya is a free platform for creating simple 3D environments that you can explore with your students. It’s accessible and doesn’t require special hardware—students can join from a regular computer or tablet.
For subjects that require practical application, like physics or biology, virtual worlds offer safe, controlled environments for experimentation. Instead of watching a demonstration, students can participate actively, manipulating elements and observing outcomes in real-time.
Example: Building a virtual science lab where students can conduct experiments, like testing Newton’s laws or simulating chemical reactions, without the need for costly materials or safety risks.
Tool to Try: CoSpaces Edu is designed for education, making it easy for teachers and students to build interactive 3D spaces. It includes drag-and-drop tools, coding options, and compatibility with VR headsets, which can make scientific concepts more engaging and easier to grasp.
Studies have shown that immersive learning environments can significantly improve retention rates. According to research from PwC, students in virtual reality-based training learned four times faster than in traditional classroom settings and were 275% more confident in applying skills they learned afterward. Immersive worlds make learning memorable by engaging multiple senses and allowing students to “learn by doing,” a proven method to increase retention.
Example: A virtual environment where students can learn about ecosystems by interacting with different plants and animals. By “walking through” a forest and observing how various elements interact, they’re more likely to retain the information than through traditional textbook methods.
Tool to Try: Platforms like anitya and FrameVR are ideal for educators looking to create customized 3D learning environments. These tools are web-based, user-friendly, and can support interactive, visually rich experiences that enhance memory and engagement.
Story-driven subjects, such as language arts and social studies, can benefit from 3D storytelling. Students can create scenes from literature or historical events, making it a hands-on way to understand characters, plot, and context. This is also an excellent way for language learners to practice vocabulary and narrative structure by describing their environments or telling stories within them.
Example: A language class could create scenes from a book they’re reading, where each student builds a part of the story and then narrates it to the rest of the class, enhancing their language skills in a fun, immersive way.
Tool to Try: Minecraft: Education Edition offers a block-based 3D environment that’s ideal for storytelling and language exercises. Teachers can set up specific tasks or give students creative freedom to recreate parts of a story, exploring new vocabulary and comprehension through play.
3D environments are ideal for project-based learning, where students work on solving real-world problems by building solutions in a simulated world. This approach builds critical thinking and collaboration skills as students work together to design, test, and refine their ideas.
Example: A geography class could create a sustainable city, tackling issues like waste management, renewable energy, and urban planning. Each student or group could focus on one aspect of the city, like designing eco-friendly buildings or creating public transportation networks.
Tool to Try: Tinkercad is a user-friendly tool that’s great for younger students or beginners. While it’s typically used for 3D design, students can also use it to build small models and practice spatial thinking—key skills for creating larger 3D environments later.
Virtual worlds can be powerful for teaching social skills, empathy, and cultural awareness. By role-playing in 3D environments, students can learn how to navigate different situations, understand diverse perspectives, and practice empathy in a safe, controlled setting.
Example: An ethics class could use a virtual town where students take on roles, like a mayor, doctor, or journalist, and navigate real-world dilemmas. This activity can encourage empathy and critical thinking by immersing students in the perspectives of others.
Tool to Try: anitya and FrameVR allows for multi-user environments where students can interact, role-play, and make decisions within a 3D setting. It’s accessible on various devices and doesn’t require specialized equipment, making it an excellent choice for schools.
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