Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have recently developed augmented reality & virtual reality-based (AR/VR-based) facilitated learning for schools in rural areas. The researchers have used digital technologies in order to invent teaching-learning models for subjects instructed in secondary schools in rural areas of the nation.

According to the statement, IIT Madras aims to develop virtual reality-enabled immersive and experiential education environments where students can learn subjects such as sciences, social science, history, and languages. It added that through augmented and virtual reality world-building, digital storytelling, and games, the learning procedure becomes extra efficient and would help train the students for a competitive field of higher education.

Project Coordinators Merin Simi Raj & Avishek Parui have built the first AR-based mobile app called ‘MemoryBytes’ as an initial step of this project. The AR-based mobile application captures the history of the international Anglo-Indian community across 500 years. The mobile application, functional in Android and iOS versions, delivers an interactive, augmented, animated experience of photographs, maps, and archival documents.

Industry funding in the state of CSR Grants could offer an enormous boost to this technology-led approach and encourage its implementation in schools across India.

IIT Madras statement added that this project could also enable India to earn United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to “Provide inclusive and equitable quality education and foster lifelong education opportunities for all.”

Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, stated that this project would redefine learning and education in schools for millions of rural school children across India by developing immersive experiences via AR/VR technology-enhanced pedagogy.

By creating tools using AR/VR technology, the project aims to revolutionize learning in rural areas by allowing virtual access and mobility via transportable platforms. This project could also bridge the ‘Digital Divide’ or gap between urban and rural school students.