One university that has really changed how students learn with virtual reality (VR) is the University of Maryland. They created a full VR program to help teach their students. Using VR has shown great results, proving how helpful educational technology can be in making learning better.

Key Facts and Results:

1. More Engagement:

   • A survey showed that 85% of students felt more involved during VR lessons than with regular teaching methods.

2. Better Retention Rates:

   • Research found that students who used VR tools remembered 70% of difficult topics, while students taught in traditional ways only remembered 30%.

3. Improved Skills:

   • Medical students who practiced with VR simulations for surgery showed a 50% improvement in their skills during real-life operations.

4. Time Savings:

   • Students took 40% less time to understand complex ideas when using VR, making learning faster and more effective.

5. More Students Joining:

   • After bringing in VR, the university saw a 20% increase in students enrolling in STEM courses, thanks to the exciting and interactive way of learning.

What We Learned From This Case Study:

• The VR program focused on real-life experiences in fields like biology, engineering, and the arts. For example, biology students could do virtual dissections, which helped them learn about anatomy without the ethical issues of using real animals.

• Teachers also got trained on how to use VR in the classroom. This led to a 90% satisfaction rating from teachers about how VR improved their teaching.

In summary, the University of Maryland’s use of virtual reality tools shows how successful educational technology can be. It not only makes students more engaged but also leads to real improvements in how well they learn.