Virtual Reality in Education - Benefits, Uses, Examples, and Emerging Innovations

New technology in education is met by one of two outcomes: it’s a distraction, or it’s transformative. Mobile phones and social media have been proven to interrupt classes everywhere with the simple ping of a notification. On the other hand, tablets and laptops have unlocked entire libraries of knowledge that every student can access.

Virtual Reality is the latest technology to impact education. After more than a decade of testing VR in the classroom, the results indicate VR is improving education. VR offers a fully immersive, engaging, and memorable experience that improves students’ information retention and engagement. VR also enables students to immerse themselves in lessons that would otherwise be impossible: exploring the bottom of the ocean, conducting medical exercises in a fully equipped lab, or studying history while experiencing historical events.

The global VR in education market is projected to grow from $17.2 billion in 2024 to $65.6 billion by 2032. Given this explosive growth, it is essential to understand why VR in education is beneficial and why more institutions are implementing a VR program.

This article examines VR's top benefits in education, including its most significant impact, real-world examples of VR in the classroom, and common challenges associated with deploying VR in educational settings.

Top Three Benefits of VR in the Classroom:

1. Improved Learning Outcomes

VR’s experiential approach helps students grasp complex concepts. Research on VR’s impact in mechanical engineering lab classes found that students who engaged in virtual learning before using the physical lab scored 20% higher than the traditional classroom approach. Another research study at Arizona State University found that students who took a biology lab supplemented by VR simulations scored a quarter of a letter grade above students who didn’t use VR.

2. Enhanced Engagement and Motivation

Why might students perform better academically with VR lessons? VR shifts passive learning into an active experience, improving student engagement and motivation to learn. By simulating real-world scenarios, VR captures students’ attention and sustains their curiosity. In the same VR biology class at Arizona State University, students who took the VR lab were more likely to remain Life Science majors than students who did not. These effects are long-lasting as immersive classes continue to inspire genuine interest.

3. Accessibility and Inclusivity

One of the most valuable aspects of VR is that it broadens access to education by removing physical and economic barriers. VR enables training in complex scenarios without real-world consequences. Nursing students practice emergency procedures in lifelike simulations. Engineering students can learn to troubleshoot virtual machinery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in Kentucky’s school district, over 2,000 VR headsets enabled students to visit different job sites and explore new career paths that would have been impossible under social distancing requirements.

Top 4 Ways VR Is Transforming Classrooms Today

1. Virtual Field Trips and Global Exploration

VR enables students to explore places and experiences that would otherwise be inaccessible due to financial, logistical, or physical constraints. Virtual field trips provide memorable experiences. For example:

• Google Expeditions enables students to examine ancient artifacts in Egypt or dive into the depths of the ocean, offering interactive lessons tied to geography and history.
• Race Leys Junior School in the UK adopted VR for virtual trips during the pandemic and found that students’ engagement and performance improved significantly. VR became a permanent part of the school’s curriculum.

2. STEM Education

VR makes abstract STEM concepts tangible by helping students interact with 3D models and simulations. 

• At the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, students enter the immersive world of the Kelp Forest or Rocky Shores from the perspective of animals like crabs, snails, and fish in order to study how animals adapt to their environment.
• Prisms is a VR-based STEM education program that builds immersive environments for students to understand math concepts in alignment with their school’s curriculum.

3. Medical Training

VR helps medical professionals learn in lifelike scenarios that are cost-effective and scalable.

• The University of Hertfordshire uses VR to help pharmaceutical science students visualize drug interactions and understand biochemical processes.
• Virtual Life Support offers immersive CPR training in lifelike emergency situations. 

4. Career and Technical Education

VR prepares students for technical careers by simulating workplace environments.

• Transfr, managed via ManageXR, allows students to explore career paths by shadowing professionals in virtual workplaces, such as manufacturing or automotive firms, without ever leaving their classrooms.
• VictoryXR partners with CTE schools to address the shortage of workers in fields like nursing, carpentry, welding, and robotics through cost-effective immersive training courses.

Case Studies: How ManageXR Customers Use VR for Education

1. OptimaEd’s Virtual Curriculum

OptimaEd hosts a fully virtual public charter school known as Optima Classical Academy, which uses ManageXR to deliver its VR curriculum. Students spend more than 1,500 hours annually in VR exploring historical events, conducting science experiments, and debating philosophy. By customizing device settings and content libraries through ManageXR’s tools, OptimaEd ensures a focused learning experience tailored to the school’s classical education model. 

2. Prisms’ Math Modules

Prisms partnered with ManageXR to scale its VR-based math and science programs to thousands of devices nationwide. Students struggling with STEM concepts can use interactive simulations to solve real-world problems, such as determining when the amount of waste a city’s population produces will overwhelm the city’s facilities. By seeing how to apply STEM concepts to tangible challenges, students more quickly grasp key concepts and retain insights. 

3. Lobaki’s Scalable Education Deployment

Lobaki collaborated with ManageXR to deploy hundreds of VR headsets for K-12 and technical education programs. Previously, providing in-person technical support to Lobaki’s customers limited their potential to scale to other schools. With ManageXR however, the program has expanded successfully due to the ability to manage and troubleshoot devices remotely.

What are the potential challenges for VR deployments in education?

Large-scale VR deployments for education present exciting opportunities to transform learning experiences, but potential challenges should be considered. Here are three key tips to ensure you have a successful VR deployment:

1. Secure Investment in VR Hardware and Content

While VR requires upfront investment in hardware, software, and content, these tools open the door to engaging learning experiences. Schools and institutions can overcome cost barriers by purchasing through approved resellers or seeking grants. With strategic planning, the initial investment in VR can pay off by engaging students in ways traditional methods can’t.

2. Integrate Content with Existing Curriculum

The most impactful VR deployments in education are those that seamlessly align with existing curriculum frameworks, rather than operating as standalone experiences. For VR to drive meaningful outcomes, the content must be academically rigorous and designed to deepen conceptual understanding. Effective platforms, like Prisms, go beyond immersive content by embedding tools such as guided discussion questions and analytics dashboards to measure student retention. These features not only promote active learning but also empower educators with actionable insights, ensuring VR becomes a core component of the instructional ecosystem rather than a peripheral add-on.

3. Plan Out Your VR Deployment Before Purchasing Devices

A common issue we see with VR deployments is that programs often buy devices before developing a plan for how to deploy them. Before purchasing devices, consider all the steps involved in launching a successful deployment. There are additional costs and tasks associated with scaling deployments that you should be prepared for. 

After you decide on the educational area you plan to use VR to supplement, we recommend working with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) who manage hardware and content procurement for you, allowing you to focus on implementing the VR program in your school and ensuring its effectiveness. If you already know what content you would like to use and need to obtain devices, purchase through approved hardware resellers for the best pricing deals. We also emphasize the importance of consulting with experts who have successfully launched VR deployments to learn from their best practices. Schedule a meeting with our VR experts to discuss your VR initiatives and ensure you're ready for success. 

Check out our complete guide to piloting VR in the classroom.

4. Use an XR MDM for Confident Device Control

When it comes to XR for education, you want to be sure that students are focused, on-task, and safe in their VR environment. Use a device management system specifically designed for XR devices, like ManageXR. ManageXR allows educators to lock devices down to approved content, see what students are seeing while in-headset, and send real-time commands. Discover why educators choose ManageXR as their preferred Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution here.

5. Support Teachers and Classrooms with Training and Equipment

Successfully integrating VR into the classroom does beyond having the right content and management. VR deployments are most effective when educators feel confident using the technology and classrooms are well-equipped to handle several devices. For educators, this means having access to the right VR training modules and readily available support if technical issues arise. Involve your IT team early so they are prepared to help teachers with their VR sessions. For classrooms, this means procuring VR headset carts, device cleaning supplies, charging equipment, and headset accessories such as head straps for VR comfort and protective cases.

Conclusion

As virtual reality continues to transform learning, educators have a unique opportunity to unlock deeper student engagement, improved learning outcomes, and greater accessibility. The success stories from OptimaEd, Prisms, and Lobaki demonstrate how immersive learning, when managed effectively, can transform classrooms and prepare students for the future. However, realizing these benefits at scale requires thoughtful planning, robust teacher support, and the right technology for device management.

ManageXR is designed to help educators deploy, manage, and scale VR programs with confidence. Whether you’re just starting your XR journey or looking to expand an existing initiative, ManageXR simplifies device control and content delivery.

Ready to see how VR can elevate learning at your school?

Try ManageXR for free today or book a meeting with our VR experts to discuss how you can successfully launch an XR education program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Virtual Reality in Education

1. What is Virtual Reality (VR) in education?

Virtual Reality in education refers to the use of computer-generated environments that immerse students in interactive learning experiences. These simulations allow learners to explore concepts visually and practically, whether it’s visiting historical landmarks or practicing medical procedures.

2. How does VR benefit student learning?

VR enhances learning by:

• Increasing engagement through immersive experiences.
• Simplifying complex topics with 3D visualizations.
• Providing hands-on practice for real-world skills.
• Making education accessible for all learners.

3. What are some examples of how schools use VR today?

Current applications include:

• Virtual field trips to global landmarks.
• STEM experiments conducted safely in virtual labs.
• Language immersion experiences for practicing new languages.
• Career exploration and vocational training programs for electrician, manufacturing, and automotive careers.

4. What challenges do schools face when implementing VR?

Common challenges include:

• High initial costs for hardware and software.
• Buying VR devices before planning the full logistics of the deployment, from content procurement to device management
• The need for teacher training on how to use VR effectively.
• The need for additional classroom supplies like VR headset cases, VR cleaning supplies, and charging equipment
• Not meeting with experienced VR deployments to learn from their successes and shortcomings
• Managing multiple devices across multiple use cases and across classrooms (a challenge addressed by platforms like ManageXR)

5. What innovations can we expect from VR in education soon?

In the next year, we can expect:

• Expanded content libraries offering richer subject coverage.
• Mixed Reality apps blending virtual and physical classroom activities.
• Better tools for teachers to help run classroom and activities (prepare for  lessons, keep students on task, more visibility)

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