Enhanced experience: Students undergoing immersive learning in an XR environment at the Taylor’s University Vortex XR Lab. — Filepic
The pace of digital learning innovation in recent years has advanced by leaps and bounds.
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology and extended reality (XR) immersion continue to transform rapidly, many universities are committed to advancing the digitalisation of learning and teaching to remain relevant and competitive in the ever-evolving education industry, and to meet the expectations of digital learners.
The incorporation of AI teaching assistants has emerged as a promising avenue, offering numerous advantages that can significantly enhance the learning experience for students and streamline the teaching process for educators, fostering academic success.
AI teaching assistants can also facilitate the grading process and provide feedback on student work, offering valuable insights that guide students towards academic improvement.
In addition to personalised feedback, AI teaching assistants proactively recommend relevant resources to students, directing them to online tutorials, study guides and tutoring services.
This tailored guidance ensures that students have access to tools and support systems to excel in their studies, allowing faculty staff to focus more on core teaching and research responsibilities.
AI teaching assistants create a safe yet dynamic learning environment. Students often feel more comfortable asking questions and making mistakes in this setting, which promotes a mindset for growth and enhances learning outcomes.
The interactive nature of it also plays a crucial role in maintaining student engagement, making the learning process more interesting.
Furthermore, virtual learning platforms often incorporate self-monitoring tools that allow students to track their own progress. This feature enables learners to take ownership of their learning journey, which can significantly boost motivation.
For one, the integration of AI into higher education has led to improved student grades, and higher retention and graduation rates. This positive correlation can be attributed to the comprehensive support that AI provides, addressing both academic and administrative needs, and cultivating a conducive learning environment.
In addition, AI contributes to cost reduction by automating frequently asked questions, providing basic technical support and processing student applications. Optimising resource usage, AI allows institutions to reallocate resources towards more strategic initiatives.
The integration of XR technology into higher learning institutions also marks a transformative shift in the education landscape.
Encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), education goes beyond traditional teaching methods as XR technologies can simplify complex concepts through visualisation, tailoring learning experiences to individual needs, allowing students to learn at their own pace and style.
With interactive 3D models and realistic virtual simulations, XR technology enables students to comprehend easily while gaining practical experience in a controlled and interactive environment.
As XR becomes increasingly prevalent, students are more prepared for a future where immersive technologies play a pivotal role in various industries.
Whether it is skill development, safety training or complex procedure rehearsals, XR has reshaped the landscape of training by enhancing engagement and knowledge retention.
For instance, soft skills development can be challenging to master. XR provides a safe space for learners to practise communication skills, public speaking, leadership, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution without judgement.
Learners are then given the opportunity to experience how they come across from another person’s perspective and receive personalised feedback on their responses.
Compared to traditional classroom teaching where learners are easily distracted and impatient, learners in the XR simulation-based environment are more focused and immersed.
As a result, they are more likely to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
A PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey in 2022 found that XR learners felt 3.75 times more emotionally connected to the content than classroom learners, while learners trained with VR were up to 275% more confident to act on what they had learnt after training – a 40% improvement compared to a classroom setting and a 35% improvement compared to e-learning training.
The integration of AI technology and XR immersion into the curriculum enables universities to move one step closer to unlocking incredible opportunities. This integration is able to deliver interactive and engaging experiences for learners, ensuring that they stay relevant and in demand amid the changes ahead.
Assoc Prof Dr Lim Chee Leong is the director of Learning Innovation and Development (LID) at the Centre for Future Learning, Taylor’s University. With over 20 years of experience in the education industry, he has demonstrated a sustained and effective record at a strategic level in relation to the quality of learning innovation, academic leadership, research and services, placing the university at the forefront of transformational teaching innovation and creativity.
The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
