Area Educators See How Virtual Reality And Augmented Reality Can Revolutionize The Classroom

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The latest technology for the classroom was on display Tuesday at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

The school hosted a unique fair that allowed educators to “explore, play and learn” about emerging technologies and how those are being applied in academics.

For a few hours, guests at this Fair in the NEMCC Student Union could explore the solar system,  take a ride on a bobsled and go fishing in a scenic lake.

NEMCC and Howard Technology Solutions sponsored the school’s first ever “Augmented and Virtual Reality Fair.”

“They call it immersive learning and that’s where you’re actually there, interacting with surroundings,” said Jeffrey Powell, technology specialist at NEMCC.

Powell is always on the lookout for the latest innovations that can help students and teachers at the college and schools across the region.

“Our intent in putting this together is to really open the eyes of faculty, and administration, anyone in the community who has a interest in technology and seeing what the new technologies are out there,” said Shana Neely, of Howard Technology Solutions.

Virtual Reality not only has unlimited applications in the classroom, it can also be used in sports.

“We can break down our practices and games, more like game like situations, to not only help us as coaches but them as athletes to get it from their perspective,” said NEMCC Assistant Softball Coach Kevin Connell.

Vendors say schools throughout Northeast Mississippi are starting to implement Virtual and Augmented Reality Learning Experiences.

NEMCC was the first two year school in the nation to establish an iPad initiative that included all academic and technical instruction.