Mumbai-based Thakur International School Cambridge launched its centre for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) on its Kandivali campus early earlier this week. The move is a part of the school’s new educational approach to learning and education. The AR and VR centre is the first-ever such facility in Mumbai’s western suburbs. 

The school’s experiential learning and teaching through virtual reality and augmented reality will be applicable across all subjects and all classes from grade 1-12 for the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) affiliated school. With smart boards, projectors and Wi-Fi facilities available in all classrooms, students can take advantage of the immersive 3d technologies while seated in the classrooms too. Special customized software and factsheets will ensure teachers can track the progress made by individual students. 

The school’s management believes integrating virtual and augmented reality applications as learning techniques will significantly improve engagement and knowledge retention levels for students. Karishmma V Mangal, Director and Trustee, Thakur International School Cambridge championed the use of immersive technology in school room teaching. “The use of AR and VR experience brings the students closer to concepts while living them and learning them through all of their senses, rather than traditionally passive formats of learning. Using cutting-edge technology we will not only explain mathematical concepts like trigonometry, algebra that are elucidated better with scaling and dimensions, we will also teach geography, biology etc. thus providing a layer of practical knowledge that the students will take along with them in life, as they face a future powered by technology.”

Renowned mathematician and educationist Anand Kumar inaugurated Thakur International Cambridge’s Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Centre. The educator is best-known for his Super 30 programme that helps economically under-privileged students to crack the tough joint entrance examinations (JEE) exams to get admitted into the country’s prestigious Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs). The programme has so far sent over 450 students into IITs so far. This year 18 of Anand Kumar’s 30 students cleared the JEE-Advanced 2019 for admission into IITs while the rest secured ranks in the JEE Mains 2019.   

 Speaking at the launch event, Anand Kumar likened the use of AR / VR centre as a learning experience to his own Super 30 program, where he uses multimedia tools to explain complex concepts to his students. “Technology does have its advantages in bringing about greater understanding among students. In my classroom, I use multimedia slides to make a little story, with characters to explain maths concepts”.