“Augmented and Virtual Reality in Education — Using AR/VR Technologies to Engage Children in the Learning Process.” by Yurii Yurchuk

On May 22, the Faculty of Pedagogy hosted an open lecture for the elective course in the specialty “Smart Technologies in Primary School” titled “Augmented and Virtual Reality in Education – Using AR/VR Technologies to Engage Children in the Learning Process.” The lecture was delivered by Yurii Yurchuk, a lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology of Preschool and Primary Education.

The session was more than just theoretical — it became a true journey into the world of cutting-edge educational technologies. Yurii Yurchuk clearly explained the concepts of AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), discussed their applications in education, and most importantly, demonstrated how they work in practice. Students witnessed how drawings come to life through augmented reality, what a 3D universe looks like through a VR headset, and the kinds of emotions such a lesson format can evoke even in the youngest learners.

Special emphasis was placed on app demonstrations — right during the Zoom lecture, the instructor showcased AR functionality via smartphone and streamed what a user sees through a VR headset. This allowed participants to visualize how such content could be integrated into primary school lessons.

After the demonstration, attendees were invited to take part in a practical session — to discuss app functionalities, ask questions, and share their impressions. Not only students but also faculty members participated, and the discussion on the prospects of implementing AR/VR in schools was lively and full of real-world pedagogical examples.

This was one of those sessions after which you truly learn something new, exciting, and useful.