Implementing Immersive Learning Using Extended Reality: Key Lessons Learned

Extended Reality (XR) - augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) - can be a transformative tool for instructors and learners. The power of XR lies in its ability to provide digitally created content and environments that are more engaging, interactive, immersive, and replicate real-life scenarios. However, incorporating XR in education requires careful planning and consideration to achieve impactful and optimal outcomes. These are some key lessons from implementing XR over two years with 123 faculty and more than 2,300 students. 

Align XR with both Institutional and Learning Objectives. Clarifying the primary objectives for using XR and determining how it will directly improve institutional and learning outcomes will aid decision-making and focus efforts where XR can add value and directly impact student success. 

Support Faculty and Staff with a Comprehensive Professional Development Program. Supporting instructors and staff is crucial to successful XR implementation. They will need a comprehensive professional development program with training, coaching, and peer collaboration activities. 

Prioritize Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Equity. Developing XR education to be accessible is essential. A commitment to making XR inclusive and equitable is imperative for eradicating achievement gaps. 

Provide Adequate and Secure Infrastructure. It is necessary to ensure that faculty, staff, and students have access to adequate and secure resources to engage in XR education. Students will need multiple resource access points, including on-campus and online. 

Develop High-Quality Experiences/Content. Creating and/or licensing XR content should be pedagogically sound and accessible and contribute meaningfully, inclusively, and equitably to the learning objectives. 

Develop Scalable, Sustainable Business Model. Developing and utilizing a strategic, comprehensive, and multi-year XR plan and business model is vital to the continued use of this technology. Planning and modeling will be ongoing because XR education is emerging and will change continuously. 

Engage Students in XR Learning and Program Development. Leveraging XR education will enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes. Involve students in XR content creation and program development with the added benefit that it ultimately will establish them as leaders in their field. 

Assess, Evaluate, and Improve the XR Program Continuously. Sustaining an excellent XR program requires a continuous cycle of assessment and improvement, particularly as technology and the XR industry evolve. 

A more detailed discussion about each key lesson can be found in this brief.