Virtual reality continues to make inroads in the world of education Arizona State, a renowned US university, now lets students pay for a VR headset using their student loan. This offer is only extended to select students, yet it can set a precedent for other institutions to follow.
Arizona State Fully Embraces VR
It is not the first time Arizona State embraces virtual reality technology. Its biology students have already been treated to VR courses. To make things even more interesting, the students can now use their student loan to buy virtual reality headsets. It is not designed for gaming or entertainment purpose, yet plays an integral role in the university’s courses program.
Given the high prices associated with virtual reality headsets, the decision to use student loans is rather interesting. The objective is to provide students with engaging real-world experiences. Through a partnership between Arizona State, Google, and Labster, new simulated environments for online students are created.
Arizona State’s Michael Angiletta adds:
“The virtual environment allows for very novel and creative problem-solving games and skill-learning. We want them to have the full experience of what it’s like to be in a lab or to be in Antarctica studying seals. We expect about 150 headsets to be available to students to borrow later this month.”
The Lenovo Mirage Solo headset is the primary focus for this new student loan-related offering. Dozens of students used the headset for a test run, and the first wave of feedback was surprisingly positive. ASU Is the nation’s first university to offer virtual reality labs. It will be of great help to biology students. If successful, this functionality might be extended to encompass other classes in the future.
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