What is immersive learning? How it could benefit you

Imagine a world beyond your own – a vibrant, eye-catching, immersive world. We’re talking about the sorts of landscapes you might experience through augmented reality overlays, projections or even video games. Today, these revolutionary digital environments are increasingly being used in teaching and learning scenarios.  

The concept is known as ‘immersive learning’ and, as you’ll discover, it’s all about finding interactive, engaging and multi-sensory ways to learn.  

With the help of Deakin University’s Sophie McKenzie, we explore all-things immersive learning.  

What is immersive learning in education?  

With a background in IT and multimedia, plus experience in creating and teaching with immersive learning models, McKenzie can explain immersive learning with more authority than most. So, what does immersive learning mean in the context of education? 

‘Immersive learning uses technology to provide the learner with some degree of virtual content, from real-world overlays to fully immersive worlds,’ she says. ‘Immersive learning can be provided through projection spaces, hand-held devices or head-mounted displays to provide a degree of simulation and interactivity for learners, as relevant to their learning goals.’ 

While it sounds pretty contemporary (and, when it comes to VR and digital worlds, it definitely is), the concept of immersive learning is actually ancient.  

Fundamentally, immersive learning is about being fully absorbed in an experience, as opposed to just reading or hearing a lesson. ‘Immersive learning can extend other modes of learning to provide alternative representations of content and a variety of ways of interacting with subject matter,’ McKenzie says. 

Immersive learning examples: in real life  

As it gains traction and technology is better able to augment education, more and more real-world immersive learning experiences are emerging.  

You might engage with immersive learning by taking a virtual 360 degree tour of New York’s Grand Central Station. Or perhaps engage with a workplace cleaning simulator to learn how to sterilise a doctor’s office. Maybe you learn about the periodic table with augmented reality chemical element cards.. Maybe you learn about the periodic table with augmented reality chemical element cards. 

If you want to experience immersive learning for yourself, there are opportunities right on your doorstep.  

Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus is home to a groundbreaking immersive educational space called Nyaal, a ‘75-square-metre, 360-degree theatre with high-definition, ceiling-mounted projector.’ 

‘The content can be fully synthetic or real-world, utilising spatial audio to provide content that surrounds the learner,’ says McKenzie. ‘360-degree projection spaces like the Nyaal allow groups of learners to experience content, promoting immersive learning as a collaborative group activity.’ 

Are there different kinds of immersive learning environments?  

Though the jury is out about different learning styles, McKenzie confirms that there are definitely different kinds of immersive learning environments. 

As McKenzie has seen firsthand, immersive learning environments can extend to just about any topic – medicine, health, cyber security, art therapy, learning a second language and learner development, to name a few examples. Of course, the environments themselves can be tailored to suit the material, such as this example of a virtual classroom: 

‘Our fully synthetic experience provided teachers with a simulated classroom experience to explore and develop an understanding of learner development, with insight into learner behaviour provided through the ability to read learners’ minds!’ says McKenzie. ‘A flexible delivery model meant that the immersive experience could be delivered on a small screen or on a head-mounted display, enabling the learner to select the level of immersion that suits their preferences and comfort.’ 

What are the benefits of immersive learning?  

Learning in a classroom or lecture theatre is great, but the benefit of immersive learning is that it broadens all the possibilities of those environments – whether it’s giving students a virtual ‘hands-on’ experience or augmenting reality in a simulated work-integrated learning model.  

‘Immersive learning can provide content that represents an approximation of reality, or it can engage learners in fantasy material that extends real-world concepts, utilising the immersive space to project learning beyond the classroom,’ says McKenzie. ‘Immersive learning uses a multi-sensory experience (sight, sound and touch) to bring classroom concepts to a deeper level of engagement for learners.’ 

Why should people try out immersive learning experiences? 

One of the biggest benefits of immersive learning experiences is that they often take place in virtual realities, meaning the experience feels ‘real’ but doesn’t carry the same risk as real-life scenarios. 

Take immersive learning in medical training, for instance – you’ll get to experience the high-stakes environment of healthcare work without the danger of getting something wrong. This is what immersive learning is all about. ‘Learners can try out their skills in immersive spaces without the risk of failure, promoting deeper engagement in content,’ says McKenzie.  

It might go without saying but we’ll say it anyway: immersive learning experiences are also just a lot of fun.   

‘Immersive learning can also provide fun, utilising game and fantasy-based elements to promote engagement,’ McKenzie says. 

How to find immersive learning experiences  

Immersive learning is definitely becoming more common at schools, universities and independent training centres. But if you’re looking for immersive learning opportunities outside formal learning institutions, you’re in luck. As McKenzie explains, the technology is available nearly everywhere – including, most likely, on the device you’re using to read this. 

‘Immersive learning can be found everyday through augmented reality applications,’ McKenzie says. ‘Everyday handheld devices can bring immersive learning into a variety of situations, without the need for costly equipment. Immersive learning can also be found through virtual reality/head-mounted displays, offering consumers a highly immersive experience from wherever they are at. Many schools are now using virtual reality in the classroom, with film and media also making good use of extended reality. ‘ 

What to remember about immersive learning theory  

Engagement and interaction are powerful forces in education and that’s what immersive learning theory is all about. Think about the difference between learning to play a guitar by actually playing, rather than reading about how to play. The experiences are worlds apart. Modern immersive learning harnesses that concept. Immersive learning could be a great addition to your education – you’ll just have to try it out for yourself!