What is this pilot hub about?
Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term encompassing various immersive technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). XR refers to the merging of the real and virtual worlds to create interactive and immersive experiences for users. There is already a lot of experimentation in education with the use of XR. The pilot hub would like to bring this knowledge and experience together in a community so we can learn from each other and use each other’s knowledge.
Using XR could make the learning process more engaging and effective, making students more engaged with the material. XR can also help students think critically by simulating realistic scenarios and situations where they have to solve problems and make decisions. Thus, it helps students develop important skills and knowledge they need in the field.
Who are we doing this for?
Learners
… can use XR elements during their learning course when it adds value; therefore, they will possess the knowledge and skills needed in the work field.
Educational professionals
… can develop and offer evidence-informed, high-quality education that integrates the added value of using XR in education.
Institutions
… can arrange the organisation of XR in a way that it facilitates learners and educational professionals to use XR efficiently. Processes such as procurement are arranged efficiently and suitably in line with the institution.
The sector
… works together with private companies to shape the desired developments within XR to work towards an XR ecosystem and national infrastructure that matches the public values of the sector.
What do we want to achieve?
Important focal points of the pilot hub are a national technology- and knowledge infrastructure in which the creation of XR content can be used between institutions and jointly defining preconditions in order to support institutions with the deployment of XR. However, also jointly experimenting and researching the use of XR in education and sharing this with the community is important, when looking at the future. The aim of the pilot hub is for all learners to have access to XR content to provide a value-added interactive learning experience. Important here is that lecturers can properly apply and use XR when developing their teaching, have access to content and get the right support for implementation. The pilot hub aspires a national cooperation between institutions and joint direction on XR content so that we can make sustainable choices with a view to the future. During phase 1 of Npuls, we focus on insight and research to be able to extend it in phase 2 to development, application and dissemination of knowledge and content.
To realise this impact, the pilot hub will work on:
- Building the existing communities into a strong active national community where knowledge is shared and collaborations are sought to address challenges together;
- Building a national XR infrastructure;
- Developing content strategies to most effectively and efficiently make high-quality content available to all learners that adds value in the learning process;
- Working on a blueprint for an organisational structure and institution-specific technology infrastructure to adequately address challenges such as privacy and hardware management and compatibility issues;
- Researching and experimenting in the area of new technologies such as the ‘metaverse’ and new learning experiences to be sustainable and future-oriented.
