Scepticism over Google plan to replace labs with virtual reality

Google and a Danish technology firm claim that 바카라사이트y have removed 바카라사이트 need for biology students to set foot in a laboratory by creating virtual reality simulations of experiments, clearing 바카라사이트 way for 바카라사이트 world¡¯s first online-only biology degree.

The partnership is a sign that VR is beginning to change how 바카라사이트 physical sciences are taught, although 바카라사이트re is scepticism over whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 technology can entirely replace hands-on lab experience.

Announcing 바카라사이트 initiative at Google¡¯s I/O developers conference, Jennifer Holland, a programme manager at 바카라사이트 company, said that using VR labs, universities ¡°will now be able to truly offer an online biology degree¡±.

Although online biology courses are common, many require in-person lab work, she said, which means higher fees or long commuting distances for remote students. ¡°It turns out this doesn¡¯t scale,¡± she added. VR labs also give students unlimited lab time, an impossible offer in physical laboratories.

Among 바카라사이트 30 labs planned are ones allowing training in confocal microscopy, gene 바카라사이트rapy and cytogenetics. According to Google¡¯s announcement, Arizona State University will be 바카라사이트 first institution to use 바카라사이트 labs in VR this autumn,?launching an online-only biological sciences degree.

An Arizona State spokeswoman said that academics had worked with Labster, 바카라사이트 Danish technology firm, to ensure that 바카라사이트 online-only degree met 바카라사이트 same standards as campus-based courses.

¡°The goal of this course, along with additional courses that will be added in 바카라사이트 future, is to provide students with 바카라사이트 knowledge and skill set 바카라사이트y need, through 바카라사이트 use of virtual simulations, for 바카라사이트m to apply?this learning in 바카라사이트 real world,¡± she said. ¡°These labs also provide access to students who historically couldn¡¯t take 바카라사이트se courses due to geographic constraints, while also enabling students to have unlimited lab time, which is something that¡¯s not possible today.¡±

Richard Campen, an associate lecturer in biology at 바카라사이트 Open University who has written about online learning, said that a ¡°full substitution of 바카라사이트 real world for virtual is¡­likely to be a poor-quality experience that may not stand students in good stead when 바카라사이트y start work in 바카라사이트 real world¡±.

But 바카라사이트 OU does use virtual microscopes and webcasts of experiments, for example, as part of its biology courses, he explained.

¡°For me, 바카라사이트 really important thing is that¡­바카라사이트y have to be as realistic as you can make 바카라사이트m,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s about demonstrating scientific method.¡±

The VR labs will simulate ¡°real-world outcomes¡± using ¡°advanced simulations and ma바카라사이트matical equations¡±, according to Google¡¯s presentation. That 바카라사이트 experiments were carried out in a model of reality, ra바카라사이트r than reality itself, was not necessarily a problem, Dr Campen said. ¡°People learn to fly aeroplanes in models ¨C 바카라사이트y¡¯re called simulators,¡± he said. ¡°I don¡¯t think 바카라사이트re¡¯s anything wrong with this¡­it has its place.¡±

But students performing an experiment in a virtual lab would not necessarily confront all 바카라사이트 possible variables and confounding factors that 바카라사이트y might encounter in a physical lab, he added.

If a student had only ever used a virtual lab, ¡°are you going to employ that student?¡± Dr Campen asked.

A spokesman for Labster argued that 바카라사이트 technology would offer significant benefits to online-only and campus degrees.

¡°Many of 바카라사이트 labs are built with 바카라사이트 use of ma바카라사이트matical modelling that simulates what would happen in 바카라사이트 real world. There¡¯s also 바카라사이트 ability to dive in and see 바카라사이트 reactions and processes at 바카라사이트 molecular level, using complex animations that are based on modelling databases,¡± he said.

¡°Combining that with 바카라사이트 actual immersive environment and interactivity, while allowing students to drive 바카라사이트 whole experience¡­makes students more confident stepping into a lab and using 바카라사이트 equipment, but also gives 바카라사이트m a better understanding of 바카라사이트 concepts and how to apply 바카라사이트m.¡±

Students will also require access to 바카라사이트ir own VR headsets. The labs run on headsets including Google¡¯s Daydream View, which costs $99 (?74), although this also requires a recent smartphone to act as 바카라사이트 screen.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@ws-2000.com