How AI and Spatial Computing Are Positively Impacting Education

A few decades ago, artificial intelligence was only a jargon phrase that was frequently used in science fiction. However, over the course of the past few years, it has gained widespread acceptance as it has become an increasingly integral part of our everyday life. The high-technology sectors of businesses such as healthcare, transportation, retail, and finance are undergoing fast transformation as a result of this. 

Of course, one further and very important sector that is showing tremendous promise for the implementation of artificial intelligence technology is education, which is constantly expanding. To be more precise, the application of artificial intelligence in education has progressed from idealised laboratory situations to real-life learning environments that are more complicated and offer exciting prospects in the classroom.

AI in the Classroom

It is estimated that over half of today’s learners will enter jobs that do not currently exist. Gone are the days of joining a production line or being in banking or insurance in a huge, faceless office. The workplace is changing and the way that people become educated to cope with it has to change with it. 

The twin technologies of virtual reality and augmented reality are not new concepts in the game industry, and their capabilities are well understood and AI is being increasingly used to drive and power them. In order to explore virtual environments or superimpose digital characters onto the actual world, gamers have been wearing headsets for a considerable amount of time and the industry is well aware of what can be achieved through this medium. 

Through the use of spatial and virtual reality computers, dull and abstract ideas may be transformed into engrossing and participatory experiences. Experiences like this not only assist students get more fully engaged in the learning process, but they also contribute to the development of a more vivid understanding of topics that may be difficult to grasp through more conventional means of instruction.

Experts realise that these experiences are rich in sensory input that are usually underutilised in educational contexts, despite the fact that they have the potential to bring about considerable learning improvements. The goal, therefore, is to introduce similar experiences into the classroom, as a means of delivering educational content. But this becomes even greater when allied with the extra power of spatial computing.

Spatial computing offers the ability to shape educational journeys that are both fascinating and informative. Students of history might be strolling through the cobblestone streets of ancient Rome, students of biology could be wandering among dinosaurs, and students of human anatomy could be learning about human anatomy in three dimensions. This degree of engagement encourages a more profound comprehension of the material, catering to a variety of learning styles and accommodating a variety of learning demands.

The Benefits of Technology in Education

There are several ways in which technologies such as AI and spatial computing can aid education, such as; 

• Interactive lessons with 3D content. Highly complex concepts can be demonstrated by the use of interactive 3D models that show, step-by-step how systems work. These could range from simple concepts to highly complex multi-component systems. The AI element will be able to introduce concepts that the student may otherwise struggle to create in other ways.
• Virtual tours. Visit almost any place in the world – or beyond – at almost any period in time and share a virtual walk around with a full class. The power of spatial computing will be able to overlay the ruins of Rome, or the interior of a black hole over a classroom in the finest detail.
• Collaboration in many different ways. Currently, collaboration between students tends to be limited to discussions or depictions on a 2D surface, but AI-driven VR will allow for students to collaborate in a whole new arena, and bring up concepts and ideas that they might have difficulty expressing in other ways.
• Tailored learning experiences. The use of AI-driven virtual reality and spatial computing has the potential to revolutionise individualised education. These technological advancements allow for personalised education that takes into account each student’s own learning style and pace. Students are motivated to take responsibility for their own learning in this learner-centred environment, which helps them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Next Steps to Enhanced Learning

Education has been rapidly evolving over the last few decades, with new concepts and ideas being introduced into the educational environment as they become available and mainstream. However, AI and Spatial computing are such enormous subjects that it is going to be difficult for the education sector to handle them on their own.

There is a growing trend of collaboration between the academic world and the virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and spatial computing industries; nevertheless, there is still a significant amount of work that needs to be done in order to make these aspects a norm in the classroom. In order to conduct research and create virtual reality (VR) and spatial computing applications for educational purposes, universities are forming partnerships with technology businesses. Through these relationships, innovation is being driven, and the frontiers of what is feasible in virtual reality and spatial learning are being pushed farther.

We at Unity Developers are very excited about expanding AI-driven VR into the educational world, and are happy to work with teams that have strong ideas in this area. If you have a great idea for an educational App or game and need help developing it, why not contact us and see how we can help.