Immersive Learning Design at the University of Leeds

Gabriel Jones - Digital Education Service

Project overview

This project explores the design and implementation of immersive learning design resources produced using the recently procured media annotation and customisable navigation tool, ThingLink. The research will document use cases and analyse support needs from staff and academics across the university in the development of new learning resources, which are designed to be experienced in a range of immersive contexts, from 2D screen interactions to fully-immersive VR experiences.

Key findings

Active use of VR in teaching and in personal life is still very low among teaching
colleagues.

• There are generally positive attitudes towards its perceived benefits.

• There is a lack of understanding around support provisions.

• There is mixed confidence in the pedagogical relevance of the technology.

• Institutional expectations for use in teaching are currently low.

Implications for practice

• The HELIX innovation hub may use the data to produce more targeted support offers for
teaching colleagues based on a current lack of awareness around pedagogy, use cases,
and pathways to implementation.

• DEE teams can use the faculty-specific data to work with their teaching colleagues in
producing bespoke VR resources using newly acquired design software (CenarioVR).

• The University may find ways to further incorporate the significance of immersive
technologies within digital transformation strategy guidelines, in response to qualitative
data highlighting the growing presence of VR technology and applications in industry, as
well as changing student expectations.

If you want to find out more details about this fellowship or what the next steps were upon completion please read the full snapshot or contact Gabriel (g.j.jones@leeds.ac.uk)

Project start date: September 2023