One argument against teaching, and learning, online is that practical subjects can’t be taught practically.
Generally, that’s true but there are ways in which the teaching of practical subjects become more practical, teaching them online.
Science is a great example. So many science teachers shy away from practical experiments, instead, using the many YouTube videos available. The reasons are manifold; at worst, it’s just laziness – it takes a long time to set up a science experiment for a class of 30+, particularly if budget cuts have meant your school doesn’t have a technician. There’s also the health and safety aspect of monitoring students using Bunsen burners, dangerously hot liquids, toxic compounds and more whilst, again, the prohibitive cost of equipment and chemicals make videos a much cheaper choice.
By following that route, schools do a huge disservice to students and it’s one which is often repeated in online schools. Yes, the practicalities of each student acquiring the equipment and chemicals is often restrictive, but there are other ways to overcome the problem.
A recent visit to the BETT Education Exhibition in London showed just how many tech companies recognise the vast potential of the market for virtual reality science experiments – they outnumbered the general VR companies by five to one. Taking a look at their product, many provided at least as good an experience for the student and from some, an exceptional experience. Two examples that come to mind are a biology experiment that showed the effect of antivirals on viruses and, in the experience, a larger than life Covid virus was attacked in full technicolor, its DNA being destroyed in a way that could only be seen in real life using high powered microscopes. A second replicated the flame test in chemistry for alkali metals and here, the student could pick up samples of the compounds and hold them in a virtual Bunsen flame which would then show the distinctive colour and identify the metal. They could then store them in a rack whilst checking their notes to see what the metal was.
The practicality isn’t limited to science, imagine a drama lesson online where you can design the sets for each scene and the avatars of the students can dress themselves in the appropriate outfits before enacting the scenes – far better than most schools could do – how do you recreate the atmosphere of the Scottish moor for the scenes in ‘The Scottish Play’ in school?
The list could go on – practical applications of maths that aren’t possible in the physical classroom, geography field trips at a tiny fraction of the cost, or playing an instrument in VR, accompanying a full orchestra.
I hope that you’ll already be receiving the message that online education, assisted with VR can provide possibly a much more enriching learning experience for students. Comments welcomed.
