Immersive Learning: Oui, Si, Da!

 Have you ever wanted to travel through our solar system? How about going through the circulatory system as a red blood cell? All of these scenarios are possible with immersive learning. 

Immersive learning most often takes on the role of either virtual or augmented reality. This instructional design approaches learning by altering the student’s environment. This type of learning has numerous advantages, as students get to participate in authentic tasks. It’s effective, especially for adults, as adults learn and remember information best when tasks are performed within the context of the real world. 

Teaching students a foreign language is one of the best opportunities to apply immersive learning. Learning happens in many ways. Learning to speak a new language naturally can help expedite the process. This course would take some time to develop, but essentially, we would build a virtual world using Vircadia. This software allows you to create a server that others can use – think foreign exchange program from the comfort of your home. Students can immerse themselves in a world where only French, Spanish, German, or any other language is spoken. The student would “watch tv,” talk with peers, “read the newspaper,” engage with townspeople, or take a stroll around town and order a coffee at the local cafe. The possibilities are endless. Students gain a sense of control over their learning by completing authentic tasks that are relevant to their lives. They spend ample time in VR as it motivates them to consistently engage with content while reflecting on their experiences when not using the VR. 

Immersive learning provides the medium needed to provide experiential learning. It can be career-specific or to practice skills or hobbies in a way that builds community. Most importantly, immersive experiences can be more cost-effective in both money and time. Students can learn the material in chunks rather than spending a full academic calendar on a topic. Furthermore, learners have the opportunity to visit places and have complete experiences that they otherwise might never partake in. 

Reference

Carroll, John. (2014). Immersive Learning. Innovative Practices in Teaching Information Sciences and Technology: Experience Reports and Reflections. 157-166. 10.1007/978-3-319--4_14.