Abstract:

Immersive classroom technologies with extended reality spaces and tools such as augmented reality, virtual reality and simulators have been growing in recent years. This paper analyses professors’ experiences of the process of adoption and integration of educational activities carried out in an immersive classroom at the University of Celaya. In order to do that, a qualitative study was carried out. An in-depth interview was conducted with a sample of professors of undergraduate courses from diverse backgrounds, disciplines and teaching experience.

Findings show that professors’ perceptions are positive regarding the use of the immersive classroom with extended reality as a complementary resource in their teaching. Professors agree that including a few classes in the immersive classroom adds to the learning experience of the course, by introducing novelty, a participatory approach to course content and lived experiences. Professors perceive that students also had a positive experience and were motivated to participate; some observed positive student engagement with the content; others observed improved comprehension and better knowledge retention of the course content; others mentioned that it favors courses’ skills development; and others observed that implementing these technologies contributes to the development of some soft skills besides the courses’ competencies. Some issues were mentioned about the technical details, agreeing that previous preparation is needed to ensure that the specific technical details of the specific digital tool used are working properly and smoothly so that the learning experience is not interrupted. In general, professors who have implemented a learning activity in the immersive classroom consider they will repeat the experience and actively recommend this to other faculty.

Finally, best practices are presented to leverage the potential of immersive technologies in the classroom at the University of Celaya and other similar higher education institutions starting to implement immersive classroom technologies.

Keywords:

Extended reality, higher education, immersive classroom, faculty experiences.