Immersive Technologies for Hybrid Learning - expanding the scope of remote teaching in pandemic times.

The research idea of this project is to develop new forms of pedagogy using immersive virtual learning technologies in hybrid learning classrooms for enhanced remote teaching and learning and for increased student motivation and engagement.

In Region 10 and at the centres for mother tongue tuition in Örnsköldsvik and Umeå, all known for their large-scale use of remote teaching, there have been an outspoken interest from teachers and school leaders to develop their remote teaching practice to enhance engagement, motivation and social presence in the classroom.

A specific interest has been to implement and use technologies in a way that allows for a pedagogy that does not tie teacher and student(s) to a video-meeting service such as zoom or teams throughout the entire lesson.

The aim of the project is to explore and develop the use of immersive technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality for hybrid learning scenarios in remote teaching settings.

Research questions the project will address:How can immersive technologies be used to accommodate for different pedagogical scenarios in hybrid learning settings?

What possibilities and challenges can be identified in applying immersive technologies in hybrid learning settings related to remote teaching and learning?Following a Change Laboratory approach,  the project will conduct a serie of four exploratory workshop conducted during two years.