What are the benefits of using AR/VR collaboration in education?

I strongly believe that AR/VR has a great benefit regarding motivating and inspiring learners. On the hand trough storytelling and gamification; on the other hand trough immersiveness captivate learners by simulating real-world scenarios, making the educational content more engaging and memorable

Children are bored in the classroom because we are still using 100 years old methods to teach. They are also more likely to be stimulated after school with technology that gives them immediate gratification and reward. To close the gap between these experiences, XR technology allows children to get hands on with the theory they are taught in class and get immediate feedback.

We have been developing immersive tools for chemistry and biology education over the past four years, and the impact has been truly impressive. Beyond the obvious advantages, one thing that drew my attention the most—something I wasn't initially expecting—is the keen interest of many children in the programming side of these tools. They want to see the code, inquire about getting started, express that creating these tools seems like a fun job, and even seek advice for a career path. Witnessing this enthusiasm, we decided to make most of our tools open source and freely accessible and continue fostering a passion for both science and technology among the next generation.

Engaging learners emotionally and cognitively is crucial. AR/VR enhances the sense of presence, enabling learners to react similarly to real-life situations. Learning through doing helps individuals reinforce the skills and knowledge they acquire. It also helps them build confidence and practice decision-making.

Apps like Bodyswaps, Virtualspeech or Ludus are made to enhance learning outcomes in almost real-life context. Learning by doing is always more practical than just memorising. XR gives us a safe way to practically repeat situations that are in context so it stays in our memory hence, enhancing learning outcomes.

Research have shown that Extended Reality offers benefits regarding learning. It offers a higher rate of learning, a higher knowledge retention, more confidence to perform what they the learned; also it can be used a more effective learning setting. Because each student can have an active role and is being engaged; while with regular (medical) simulation training the mayority of the group observes what some learners are doiing; and altough you can learn from observing, it isn't as effective as an active role during the training

VR is an empathy machine. It allows you to be in the shoe of another person. As content creation advances with generative AI, one day we will be able to generate any scenarios easily, helping teachers and educators create near real life narratives to put students inside. This will allow students to interact in different social and cultural context without geographically boundaries.

I am absolutely convinced that Extended Reality can transform the way we teach and learn! It offers some unique opportunities to engage students on a deeper level. They can have more influence, and even control, on how and when they can study; this offers more responsibility on their own learning path; wich will lead to better learning outcomes. What i really love about XR is that it can suit almost any form of learning; it caters learners that are more theory oriented or learn by image thinkers. The disadvantage is the lack of tactile feedback in Augmented- and Virtual Reality; but this is being addressed by Mixed- and Free Roam Reality: with an unique blending of the virtual and physical world and where is freedom of movement