With the progress of technology, new tools are being introduced to the general public every day. Even two decades ago, you could not have imagined having internet access on your phone in any place that you like. And now, this is a reality for almost every person on the planet. Similar to this, ten years ago, many things seemed like amazing and unachievable innovations.
AR in Engineering Project
For example, artificial intelligence and machine learning were only seen as a part of a Sci-fi movie. Also, extended reality, like virtual and augmented reality, was used only for science or for making 3D movies. Right now, any person can go online, download an app or a game, and enjoy the beauty of AR and VR from their own home.
This is what progress is all about! Students can also use these innovations to their advantage. Did you know that the education field has been using VR and AR for many years now? For example, even a couple of years ago, you would need to hire a write my paper service for a very complex engineering project. Now, you can use these services together with other tools!
So, do you want to make your learning process easier and introduce some recent technologies into your studies? Here are 8 creative ways to use virtual and augmented reality in your engineering college project!
What are the benefits of extended reality for students?
Right now, some schools have started integrating new technologies into their daily curriculum. Of course, many students can try this technology out on their own. There is a wide range of resources available on the internet that can get you acquainted with virtual and augmented reality!
This way, you can really see the benefits for yourself, including:
- Better visualization – Students have a unique opportunity to visualize complex engineering concepts and designs in a way that is not possible with traditional classroom materials.
- Personalized hands-on learning – With more interactive and engaging experiences, learners can experiment with their projects and designs.
- Reduced risks – When an inexperienced learner makes a mistake in a virtual environment, they are not at risk of injuring themselves or damaging the equipment on site.
- Cost-effectiveness both for schools and for students – AR and VR provide a lot of cost savings as compared to traditional methods of teaching engineering concepts.
- Access to different locations and situations – There is no way all engineering students can experience practice in a real space station or in an offshore oil rig! VR is a great way of showing practical results at a low cost.
- Collaborative learning – Learners from all over the world can work together in real-time and improve their designs.
8 creative ways of using VR/AR in your studies
Now that you are convinced you to have to try extended reality in your learning process, you might need some ideas for incorporating VR into your workload.
In general, engineering students have a lot of opportunities to use the most recent technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality.
Virtual engineering lab
A virtual engineering lab is a great instrument for those learners who want to practice building and designing engineering projects.
Schools can offer VR technology to the classrooms so students can create and test different designs, experiment with different materials and tools, and get a better understanding of how various theoretical concepts work in practice.
AR blueprints
Any engineering undergraduate knows that dealing with blueprints without actual hands-on experience can be challenging.
With the help of AR, you can overlay the blueprints onto objects in the real world. This will help learners without previous experience in visualizing how their design can fit into an existing piece of equipment.
Virtual engineering field trips
As it was mentioned in the benefits section, not every school can afford to send their residents on field trips. This is where VR can come into play!
Taking students on virtual field trips to real-world engineering sites can be a great way to show them how engineering concepts are applied in practice. You can visit power plants, see how things are made, and put this knowledge to good use.
VR engineering simulations
Virtual engineering simulations allow students to experiment with different designs and test them in a virtual environment. This can be an extremely effective tool for testing and iterating designs before creating actual physical prototypes.
You can also utilize this instrument for examining the ways in which various materials and designs behave under different conditions.
AR safety training
Learners can learn a lot more about potential hazards on a construction site when they can see them for themselves. Safety is one of the most critical concerns in this field, so schools have to do everything to explain the importance of safety training.
For example, you can create a simulation project where you can put your safety training skills to the test.
VR design reviews
Apart from creating amazing projects in extended reality, you can also review the work of other people and provide your feedback.
This is a great tool for self-evaluation in your school projects! Classmates can help each other learn about their mistakes, or professors can provide a completed project to their learners to analyze and point out mistakes and suggest ways of fixing them.
AR machine maintenance
In case you are thinking about creating a unique school project, you can explore the option of creating machine maintenance training programs that can help students learn the necessary skills in a safe and controlled environment.
Here, you can orchestrate step-by-step instructions for repairing machines and practice the skills in VR before working on the real thing.
VR structural analysis
This project is a bit similar to other projects on this list, but it also has its own unique features that only engineering students can notice.
With the help of VR, you can create a virtual environment where you can experiment with different materials and designs, and test them to see how they perform under different loads and stresses.
To Sum Up
Now you know about 8 new creative ways to use virtual and augmented reality in your college engineering project! Those fields that heavily rely on visual learning, like architecture, engineering, and design, will only benefit from using VR and AR in the daily operations or class curriculum. Students just need to embrace technological progress to their advantage!
