Imagine living in a world where you can digitally interact with everything and you have the ability to turn everything into a screen. With the new advancements in technology, virtual reality could become the new reality.

There is a virtual reality simulator at Vernon Hills High School, and in light of recent advancements, it might begin to see more action than ever before. The simulator can be implemented in many classroom settings, such as drivers ed, PE, and even classes like algebra.

Vernon Hills High School Computer Science teacher Adam Leuken shed some light on the topic.

“Having the ability to be truly immersed into the driving simulator, kids are going to get a lot better experience with what it’s actually like,” said Leuken.

Virtual reality headsets nowadays can cost an upwards of $500. Google just recently launched their “Daydream” project which makes virtual reality headsets more affordable. Instead of using a powerful computer, the user can now use their smartphone by placing it into a specially designed holder.

“It could essentially bring virtual reality to billions rather than millions, because oculus rift headsets are expensive” said Leuken.

Virtual reality has been around since 2010, but it has had many ups and downs. Now that there is a major re-birth in the virtual reality world,  it can even affect our everyday lives, according to Leuken.

“I really think virtual reality is going to become reality sooner than later, and online classrooms are going to be replaced with virtual online classrooms, because it can hold kids more accountable and really engage students. No longer do kids have to look at very linear presentations. They can be given many topics and learn at their own pace.” said Leuken.

With all tech there are downsides as well. The main downside Leuken argues is that kids will become completely disengaged from their real environment.

“With technology there’s pros, but there’s always cons. 10 years ago when phones were introduced, everyone was on theme and rarely looking up. 10 years from now when virtual reality becomes a thing, there won’t be much social interaction locally,” said Leuken.

The future holds endless possibilities for the fate of virtual reality and what we do now will determine if virtual reality will become the new reality.