Extended Realities: The future of interactive teaching and learning

This study explores the impact of extended reality (XR) technologies on education, aiming to assess their effectiveness in enhancing learning and teaching. Building on previous research suggesting the potential of XR to increase information retention and student engagement, this study employs an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design. In the quantitative phase, data is collected from pre-and post-intervention questionnaires of approximately 100 secondary and university-level students and educators. The results show a significant improvement in information retention and student engagement after XR sessions. Additionally, most participants rated the user interfaces as intuitive and easy to use. The qualitative phase, which includes interviews and focus groups, reveals positive perceptions of XR experiences, highlighting their attractiveness and ability to enhance understanding of complex concepts. However, challenges such as lack of adequate equipment and the need for teacher training are also identified. In conclusion, this study highlights the transformative potential of XR in education while emphasizing the importance of addressing practical barriers to their effective implementation. The findings contribute to the growing evidence on the effectiveness of XR in educational settings and provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to integrate these technologies into educational practice.