Immersive technology is a fantastic educational tool that can engage learners in new, innovative ways. XRSource has previously covered the Best Educational VR Games, but where Meta Quest is concerned, there are also mixed reality titles to consider. So here’s a detailed look at some of the best mixed reality games to teach you new skills.
Immerrock
Learning to play the guitar is no simple task, it takes years of hard work and dedication to master. It can also be quite daunting as to where to start. Do you pay for expensive lessons or go the self-taught route through books and YouTube videos?
Or you can try Immerrock, the app specifically designed to help teach you guitar and bass. What’s more, because the lessons are gamified – think Guitar Hero but with an actual guitar – they’re fun to learn right from the start. And you can be playing a tune in minutes. There are over 300 bite-sized exercises to play through, teaching you chords and finger placement, all thanks to mixed reality visuals.
Stencil VR
For all you budding artists out there, there’s Stencil VR. The app allows you upload an image, which can then be scaled onto any surface before you start drawing. Start small with a simple image in a notebook and then progress to larger projects. You could be adding your own hand-drawn mural to your bedroom in no time!
Stencil VR features handy tools like the outline mode, converting any image into a traceable outline. Images can be adjusted not only in size but also angled to match a surface. Plus, the app automatically saves the position and scale of the stencil, so it’s easy to pause and return to it later.
PianoVision
Another music app, but this time for those who wish to learn piano, PianoVision breaks the process down into easy-to-understand lessons. Featuring over 1,000 songs to learn as well as the ability to import your own favourites, PianoVision offers beginner courses to learn the basics, as well as mini games for specialised skill building.
Just like a lot of educational mixed reality apps, PianoVision overlays the information onto a piano or keyboard so you know what key to press and when. Furthermore, a Virtual Piano is available for those times when you want to practice but don’t have an instrument to hand. For when you get really serious, an optional PianoVision Plus subscription is available, giving you access to 10,000+ popular songs from The Beatles, Disney, John Legend, Ed Sheeran, and more.
Tribe XR
Maybe we should’ve made this list all about music! Whether you’re into Drum & Bass, EDM, Techno, or any other genre, you can mix with two turntables, Tribe XR has been teaching folks how to DJ since 2019. Featuring accurately reproduced Pioneer DJ equipment – CDJ-3000 and the DJM-900NXS2 Mixer – the app can teach you all you need to know about DJing.
With a selection of tunes to get you started, Tribe XR supports loading your own music from platforms like Dropbox, as well as from Beatport, Monstercat, TIDAL and Soundcloud Go+. With hand tracking now supported, budding DJs can join weekly live workshops to hone their craft before livestreaming directly to Twitch.
Pencil – Learn to Draw
Lastly, we’ve got another drawing app, Pencil. Unlike Stencil VR, which simply overlays a provided image onto a surface, Pencil will take your fledgling skills and turn you into an artist…hopefully. An award-winning app that actually teaches you art skills over a 20+ hour campaign. From beginner drawing concepts to advanced skills, Pencil has a vast range of options available, all you need is a pencil and a piece of paper.
Use the app’s selection of 3D models to create a scene to free draw, or import your own images to draw. There’s almost endless entertainment and learning to enjoy!
The Future of Mixed Reality Education
Mixed reality education offers a wealth of potential for educators and students alike. For students, having access to these innovative tools means learning can be fun, engaging, yet impactful, all at the same time. As for educators, MR (and VR too) provides new teaching avenues, delivering information in ways that a traditional classroom setting can’t.
Have you tried any educational apps and games to learn a new skill? Let us know in the comments!
