Immersive technologies are helping to reshape the ecosystem of learning. From healthcare to K-

12 education, many are looking to incorporate immersive tech into their own teaching practices. Nevertheless, many are often overwhelmed by several barriers like the cost of procurement, maintenance, and high-quality content development. Currently, innovative technology has outpaced the formation of searchable immersive content. Curating educational content that is relevant, ethical, and accessible can be rather tasking. Educators and students are seeking engaging, quality content that survives the novelty of new technology and leads to long lasting learning.

 

To create valuable experiences, educators need tools to build immersive environments with their students and peers or access to companies or organizations constructing personalized immersive environments. Teachers and students can develop deeper connections with their peers and build essential soft skills. Collaborative-created content fosters a meaningful connection by generating an emotional investment for the learner. This is also important in building long-term high impact engagement, as it has been observed that students are seeking non-routine experiences. For example, 3D virtual tours about any topic are fascinating the first time but the excitement wears off the second time around if one is experiencing the same curriculum. Therefore, the need for quality content is essential to internalizing educational experiences.

 

K-12 educational immersive experiences should tell a story to amplify the learning opportunity. Storytelling utilizing immersive technology brings compelling and memorable stories into the classroom, giving students the chance to experience the next best thing to the actual thing. A great immersive narrative increases understanding more than a textbook or homework assignment ever could. Imagine studying about an African country like The Gambia through immersive technology. Students can learn about how to work in another culture and country by undergoing “a day in the life of” various individuals – student, physician, street vendor, etc. – with different perspectives and accents. If the story is told appropriately, learners will be inspired to engage in global collaborative problem-solving and interactive techniques; no longer limited by language or location.

 

Critical thinking is also an important skill in K-12 education and immersive experiences can help increase cognitive engagement and retain information over traditional teaching models. Content using extended reality (XR) tools like virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) should be built on artifacts that can be shared visually, emotionally, and practically. In our experience and research, the best way to do this is through experiential content that teaches students to analyze. Applications that allow children and youth to see and feel encourage realistic learning. Learners are introduced to how topics ranging from architecture to poverty work and who/what creates them. Thus, they can have more informed agency around how to approach career goals or develop solutions tackling pressing issues.

 

Education is progressively changing and school spaces are being transformed by dynamic learning experiences powered by immersive technologies. In order to integrate these technologies in classrooms, it’s best to start with quality content. High quality content is a powerful way to personalize experiences and improve analytical skills that moves students from passive to active learning. The creation of relevant and holistic content for immersive experiences drives impactful engagement and long term academic, emotional, and professional intelligence.

 

About Blog Writer :

---

Hassanatu and Hussainatu Blake

Creators and Hosts of TwinFold: All things EdTech