Virtual reality applications in education

Modem technology regarding education provides many opportunities that, while abundant, are not exploited by common educational platforms. Yet modern technologies are widely used in business environments to facilitate interaction and employee productivity, thus following the same rules imposed by modern educational models. For example, 3D technology could be utilised in such platforms to enable a highly immersive/interactive approach for a user's educational opportunities through competition and collaboration. Moreover, 3D technology can simulate an educational environment in a more attractive and meaningful way, while also being used as an educational tool for novice, intermediate or higher level learners. Thus, a 3D graphical environment can help provide the necessary motivation for a learner's education. The authors present the fundamental principles concerning higher education and learner interaction. The aim is to validate the use of virtual reality technology in education and present the different approaches currently under development, while also presenting an approach regarding the use of 3D technology as an aid to the learning audience. A generic template is also given for virtual reality in an interactive mathematical environment for intermediate and higher education.