A virtual tour is a digital simulation of a real-life location, typically created through photographs or videos, that allows users to explore and experience the location as if they were there in person.

1. What is a virtual tour, and why is it so useful for students?
How many of you still remember your excursion trip experience? Is it still fresh in your mind?
Well, field trips are exciting events that take place in the traditional educational system. But after
the pandemic, the scenario completely changed. However, the emergence of virtual reality has
evolved the way of learning. Another way of implementing this is a virtual tour. It is an excellent
way of engaging students in understanding experiences worldwide. This article will discuss the
virtual tour and its importance in detail.
What is a virtual tour?
A virtual tour is a simulation of a physical location, often created through a series of panoramic
images or videos, that can be accessed and explored online or through a mobile device. It can
provide an immersive and interactive experience that enables users to virtually visit and explore

2. places they might not have the opportunity to see in person, such as museums, historical sites,
and even college campuses.
What is the scope of learning through VR trips?
The scope of learning through VR trips is vast and offers students a unique and immersive
learning experience. Here are some of the potential benefits and opportunities of learning
through VR trips:
1. Access to remote and inaccessible places: VR trips can take students to places that may
be difficult or impossible to access in real life, such as remote regions of the world, deep
oceans, or outer space. This allows students to explore and learn about these places
without leaving the classroom.
2. Enhancing engagement and motivation: VR trips are interactive and immersive,
making the learning experience more engaging and motivating for students. They can feel
like they are there and be more interested in learning about the subject matter.
3. Learning by doing: VR trips can provide a safe and controlled environment for students
to practice and apply what they have learned. For example, they can learn about history
by exploring a virtual museum or practice language skills by ordering food in a virtual
restaurant.
4. Providing personalized learning experiences: VR trips can be customized to suit
individual student’s learning needs and preferences. They can move at their own pace,
and the content can be tailored to their level of understanding.
5. Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills: VR trips can challenge
students to think critically and solve problems in a simulated real-world environment.
This can help them develop essential skills transferable to other areas of their lives.
Benefits of implementing virtual tours in education
Virtual field trips are a constituent of VR which plays a vital role in education and learning.
Enhanced Learning Experiences with a wide range of subjects: VR allows students to
experience concepts and ideas more immersive and engagingly than traditional classroom
methods. For example, students can take virtual field trips to explore history online, experience
the ocean’s depths to learn about marine life, or even explore the inside of a human cell. This can
make learning more exciting and memorable and help students develop a deeper understanding
of the subject matter.
Safe and Controlled Environment: VR can also provide a safe and controlled environment for
students to learn and experiment. For example, students can practice complex scientific

3. experiments or surgical procedures without the risk of injury or damage. This can help students
gain confidence and experience in a low-risk setting, translating to better performance in real-
world situations.
Multisensory learning: VR can engage multiple senses simultaneously, making learning a more
multisensory experience. This can enhance the retention and recall of information, as students
can remember what they saw, heard, and experienced in the VR environment.
Access to essential resources: VR can provide access to resources and experiences that may not
be available to all students. For example, a school in a rural area might not be able to take its
students on a field trip to a museum in a big city, but with VR, students can experience the
museum virtually. This can help level the playing field and give all students equal access to
educational resources.
Tips and Tricks for creating a fascinating VR trip at schools
● Closely work with the digital education team. They can guide the students in making
learning more accessible and professional.
● Introduce students to the concept of the virtual field trip early in the module so they can
familiarize themselves with the VR benefits.
● Including all the data and information in the virtual field trip will help the students who
missed the classes for some reason or those with disabilities that may prevent them from
attending the trip. This means all students can perform the assessment linked to the field
trip, supporting a more inclusive and equitable approach.
● Include a mix of photos, site videos, and explanatory videos to engage and help students
to learn more about the subject or topic.
● Using online mapping resources to augment virtual video trips. It allows the students to
learn new skills, such as online data visualization, mapping, and data gathering.
● Try replicating the conditions so students can get a more immersive online experience.
For example, consider using aerial drone video of a site or 360-degree ground shots with
sound recordings.
VR field trips in the future
Beyond traditional teaching, virtual field trips can be used and applied across many social
science disciplines and humanities. For example, walking tours of different urban and rural
environments. However, this is one example of how VR trips can augment existing teaching
disciples, yet the possibilities are endless. So, we encourage you to experience and play the field
to see how these trips can be future-proof for your teaching.