Unified Modular Architectural and Software Model for Educational XR Systems

This article presents the development and validation of a unified architectural and software model for educational Extended Reality (XR) systems, which integrates the technological, pedagogical, and interface-related aspects of virtual and augmented reality into a coherent, modular, and interoperable framework. The proposed model addresses key limitations of existing XR solutions in education—such as platform dependency, limited scalability, and insufficient pedagogical grounding—through the use of WebXR technologies and open standards. The architecture is designed as a multi-layered structure that ensures cross-platform access, real-time interactivity, adaptive levels of immersion, and seamless integration with learning management systems. A conceptual model is formulated that explicitly links architectural design decisions to instructional objectives and establishes the principle of pedagogically determined design of XR learning environments. The applicability of the proposed model is evaluated through the design, implementation, and functional testing of a prototype WebXR-based educational system for engineering education. The results demonstrate that the unified architecture provides a sustainable, scalable, and pedagogically grounded foundation for the effective integration of XR technologies in educational contexts.