Instead of going on language learning trips to other countries, why not order an espresso in an Italian cafe while sitting at home on the couch?
What sounds a bit like science fiction is possible with the help of virtual reality (VR). “In virtual environments, learners can actively act and communicate, regardless of location,” says educator Timo Ahlers, who researches VR at the University of Potsdam in Germany.
What is VR? “It’s a computer-generated, purely digital environment in which you can move virtually in real time,” Ahlers explains.
This environment can be experienced through a head-mounted display, better known as a VR headset. “This means that my seeing and hearing are virtually linked to the virtual environment,” he says.
Simulating a visit to a cafe or a doctor, solving puzzles in a labyrinth, playing a basketball game or having a conversation around a virtual campfire: VR makes many things possible.