They are infinitely flexible, and can either closely replicate real-world scenarios and environments, or take students to places they would never be able to visit, like the surface of the sun, Easter Island five hundred years ago, a research station at the South Pole, or the interior of a human cell.

Not only are VLEs effective at stimulating active engagement with the subject — resulting in a proven increase in the retention of taught material — but they are also accessible any time of the day and night, regardless of geographical location.

All you need is a computer, a headset, and an internet connection. After that, the options are endless!