Virtually Possible by Krista

Virtually Possible by Krista - February 2018 Scholarship Essay

What if students studying art could paint without paintbrushes? Or if future astronauts could go to the moon without leaving the ground? Well, these possibilities, along with many others, are not far away. Technology is advancing at a rapid pace. When I was in Kindergarten, our classroom had one student computer that was only used for games in the morning. Kindergarten classrooms now have Smart Boards, Ipads, and computers for the students. As a high school senior, I use my laptop every day to do homework. My lessons, textbooks, worksheets, and assignments are all online. Quizzes and tests are even done electronically. With technology already so intertwined with education in 2018, it is interesting to think what classrooms could look like in 2038.

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has begun to make its way into mainstream technology. It allows the user to be placed in a virtual environment. In the future, virtual reality technology will be even better and more utilized. VR in the future will include all the senses. Not only will you be able to see someplace else, but you'll be able to smell it, feel it, hear it, and even taste it. This technology will bring education into a whole new realm.

Students in college could actually practice their intended professions without no negative repercussions. When learning about cooking, students could be transported to the most prestigious restaurant in the world virtually. They could feel the warm air, touch the ingredients, watch the chef work, hear the sizzling, taste the finished dish, and then recreate the dish themselves in the same kitchen. Future surgeons could practice medical procedures. Researchers could conduct experiments. Interior designers could go into the houses they design and move and change details as needed. Classrooms themselves could be virtual. Students could virtually attend class when it is most convenient for them. Education with virtual reality technology is exciting and coming. Virtually anything is possible with virtual reality technology.