Revolutionising Education with virtual reality headsets

Overview of MR in Education:

Introduction to MR, AR, and VR in Education

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) are three distinct, yet complementary, technologies that have revolutionised various industries, including education. These technologies began to emerge in 2016 when the Oculus Rift was introduced to the public. So what is the difference between MR, AR and VR? And what do they even mean?

Virtual Reality (VR): VR fully immerses users into entirely digital environments, cutting off their senses from the real world and replacing them with computer-generated worlds. This technology is especially helpful for surgeons in training to have a fully immersive simulation of them performing on a fake body, allowing them to feel a sense of realism and less distracted by the outside world. 

Augmented Reality (AR):  Unlike VR, AR overlays digital content onto the real world, enriching a user's view with additional information or interactive elements without obstructing their real life surroundings. In a classroom, this can be great to use as an interactive textbook or help visual learners see 3D models of a certain complex topic they may be studying. 

Mixed Reality (MR):  MR merges the real and virtual worlds, allowing objects from both environments to interact in real time. This is similar to augmented reality however it takes it just that step further to being more interactive. Students can manipulate virtual objects as though they were real, fostering a deeper connection between theoretical concepts and practical application.

By incorporating VR, AR, and MR, tutors can create highly engaging and effective learning experiences that promote deeper understanding, critical thinking, and real-world skill development.

The Growing Relevance of Mixed Reality (MR) in Education

Mixed Reality (MR) technology is increasingly becoming a great asset to schools, universities, and training programs, reshaping how educators deliver content and how students engage with learning materials. One of the most impactful uses of MR in education is virtual school trips, by putting on a headset, history students could historical landmarks or a future that is yet to come. Here is what Jisc reported in 2023 for XR in Learning and Teaching. 

Together, the sampling method and survey sample suggest that results should be seen as a generalised view of what the sector is doing and not a census of activity.

Jisc asked participants how aware they were about using XR technologies across their departments as well as the influence of XR technologies on learning.  55% of respondents indicated full awareness of the department's use of XR technologies while only 32% indicated the same level of awareness across the whole organisation. 10% of respondents held budget and decision-making responsibilities for adopting new XR technologies within their learning institution. 

Mixed Reality (MR): A Game-Changer for Future-Ready Education

Personally, I am quite jealous of the new generation of students who will get to experience this new way of learning because lets face it - the curriculum is severely outdated. Wherever you go nowadays we are attached to our phones, that contain communication to our loves ones, a way to keep track of time, monitor our bank accounts and most importantly we have unlimited access to information. Ever been lying awake at night and a random questions pops into your head like "hmmm...I wonder why dogs can bark?", 9/10 times you will probably Google it. We live in an era where we rely so much on technology for information and understanding, so why not educate our younger generations with MR/VR that can be used as a new and modern way of learning. 

The Core Benefits of MR in Education

The adoption of XR technologies, including MR, is becoming significantly popular within the education sector as evidence by a 78% in institutional investment in recent research conducted by Jinsc. This highlights the growing appreciation for how mixed reality creates engaging and interactive learning environments, making subjects such as science, history and art into dynamic experiences. For science institutions that have invested in large scale MR deployment, your students can use these headsets to engage in hands-on lab activities remotely if there is any issue them physically travelling to the campus (either due to a train being cancelled or cold weathers) so they aren't missing out on important content. 

This level of student engagement not only keeps them from missing out materials in their studying but helps motivate them and deepen their understanding. In higher education institutions, 31% of respondents who had invested in XR reported to purchase large quantities of headsets (100+ units) which resulted in them also having a higher percentage of usage. 

Link to case study

Enhanced Visualisation

One of the most significant benefits of leveraging mixed reality in education is it's ability to transform abstract concepts into interactive experiences. Mixed reality technologies allow students to interact, visualise and immerse themselves in 3D environments and models bridging the gap between theory and practice. Mixed reality makes learning more accessible for students who may thrive learning visually rather than reading a textbook. While the benefits of Mixed Reality are evident, its adoption various across different education sectors. Over half of respondents in HE reported having 50 or more MR headsets, and 67% indicated extensive to moderate use of the technology. This indicates that higher education institutions are more likely to be at the forefront of adopting XR technologies and are more likely to be in departments such as engineering or science. However for Further Education, investment levels may lag behind and this can be a huge block in how much they can invest. So how do you get around this? Further education institutions can explore partnerships with Mixed Reality providers to get discounts on headsets or focus on shared resources and cross-departmental collaboration to maximise usage.

Watch this video below to find out more!

Interactive Learning

Mixed reality transforms traditional education to by offering immersive, hands-on simulations that enhance a students' understanding and engagement in the lesson.

In biology, students can explore the anatomy of a human or other organisms, observing each layer in 3D detail. They can identify organs, simulate biological processes, and repeat dissections as needed without the ethical concerns or resource constraints. In Higher Education (HE), institutions prioritise in-house content development (67%) while still leveraging external providers (55%) and free sources (53%). This allows for customisation to specific curriculum and the creation of institution-specific simulations. In Further Education (FE), external providers dominate (68%), reflecting the sector's reliance on ready-made solutions to implement XR technologies quickly and efficiently.

MR places students in realistic, problem-solving scenarios that require quick thinking and decision-making and can give them real-time feedback to help them learn from their mistakes. The ability to learn in a 3D virtual environment allows students to engage in thought-provoking scenarios and enhance cognitive development. 

MR-based interactive learning solutions.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Mixed reality provides an opportunity for those with learning disabilities to have customised experiences that help learn and understand content better. For example, autistic students can explore simulations like historical landmarks in a controlled, low-stimulus setting, reducing anxiety and enhancing focus. This is also a great way to reduce language barriers for international students as during a virtual science lab session, students speaking different languages can communicate better with translated captions, fostering collaboration and understanding. 

With over 90% of respondents expressing interest in further integrating XR technologies, institutions are beginning to leverage these tools to bridge gaps and create more inclusive learning environments. While over half of Higher Education institutions already have 50+ headsets, Further Education institutions lag behind with only 25% reporting similar investments. Bridging this gap is critical to ensuring access to XR's potential. By addressing barriers related to language, disabilities, and resource availability, XR can ensure that every student, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive in an immersive and educational environment. Institutions must continue to prioritise collaboration and investment to fully realise this potential. 

Link to accessibility-related case studies.

Global Collaboration

Mixed Reality (MR) technologies create opportunities for collaboration between students and teachers across different locations. These technologies not only bridge physical gaps but also provide immersive, interactive environments that foster global learning communities. Based on participant feedback and the benefits highlighted in the survey, the collaborative potential of MR is particularly valuable in education

Through MR-enabled classrooms, a history class in the UK can collaborate with a class in Egypt to explore virtual reconstructions of ancient pyramids, fostering a rich exchange of cultural and historical insights. Survey feedback indicated that MR provides a safer environment for both physical and emotional development. Collaborative MR experiences allow students to understand different perspectives, developing their empathy and emotional intelligence. Mixed Reality breaks down geographical and cultural barriers, creating collaboration between students and teachers worldwide. By bringing together communities, MR prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of a connected world. Institutions investing in MR can harness its potential to enhance employability, encourage cross-cultural understanding, and develop innovative pedagogical models that redefine education for the 21st century.

Explore our XR headsets

Cost-Effective Alternative

Mixed Reality (MR) technologies offer institutions a cost-effective alternative to traditional educational setups, addressing the resourcing challenges highlighted in the survey. By creating immersive virtual environments, MR reduces the need for expensive physical infrastructure, school trips, or dangerous experiments, ensuring high-quality learning experiences remain accessible and engaging. 

While concerns about the fast-paced turnover of XR technology are valid, MR simulations often require less frequent updates compared to physical setups. Software can be adapted to newer hardware without replacing entire systems. Moreover, the scalability and adaptability of MR technologies make them a sustainable option for modern educational environments. Institutions that adopt MR can not only enhance the quality of education but also address budgetary constraints and accessibility challenges effectively.

Link to cost-benefit analysis or product pricing.

Real-World Skill Development

Mixed Reality (MR) offers students the opportunity to acquire practical, hands-on skills in areas such as surgery, engineering, and other technical fields, without the risk or resource constraints of traditional physical environments. MR lets students to perform virtual surgeries and medical procedures without causing risks to real-life patients. By simulating real-life scenarios, students can practice complex tasks repeatedly, gaining proficiency before applying their skills in actual medical settings. MR allows students to experience rare or complex situations that would be difficult to replicate in the physical world. This includes scenarios like rare medical conditions, catastrophic engineering failures, or emergency situations in public services.

Training programs that use MR: HoloAnatomy and Elements 4D. 

Gamification of Education

Mixed Reality (MR) combines immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) with interactive elements, creating opportunities to integrate gaming into education. This approach increases student engagement, motivation, and participation by incorporating elements familiar from gaming, such as rewards, challenges, and interactive experiences. In health education, gaming elements in MR can help students engage in simulations of real-world medical scenarios, such as treating patients, performing surgeries, or handling emergency situations. These activities can be structured as game-like challenges, where students must complete tasks under time constraints, face challenges or unforeseen complications, and receive immediate feedback on their performance. For example, Oxford Medical Simulation and Sharecare isa training app where students face medical emergencies, make diagnoses, and perform procedures within a virtual environment. Incorporating game elements such as scoring, levels, and performance feedback motivates students to improve their skills while making the learning process more enjoyable and interactive.

Personalised Learning

Mixed Reality (MR) technologies offer a highly flexible and adaptable learning environment that can cater to the individual needs, learning speeds, and learning styles of students. This adaptability is one of the key reasons why MR is becoming increasingly popular in education, as it supports personalised learning and helps students learn at their own pace and in their preferred style. In Healthcare 76% of practitioners indicated that they currently use and benefit from XR technologies, compared to just 10% of the healthcare sector that potentially would benefit from this but haven't implemented XR. This suggests that while leaders may recognise the potential for XR, they often perceive a gap in the available resources and skills necessary for effectively implementing XR-based learning. MR offers a self-paced learning environment, where students can revisit challenging concepts as needed. This allows learners to progress through materials at their own speed without feeling pressured by the pace of the class or a traditional teaching schedule.With features like adaptive difficulty levels, MR allows students to go over content multiple times. 

With MR, teachers can create a tailored learning journey that adapts to individual student needs, enhancing both engagement and retention. MR also promotes active learning, where students engage directly with content through hands-on, immersive experiences. 

Remote Learning Enrichment

Mixed Reality (MR) offers innovative solutions for enriching remote and hybrid learning, especially in sectors like Further Education (FE), where cost and resource limitations often restrict access to physical learning environments. By leveraging the immersive and interactive capabilities of MR, educational institutions can create virtual classrooms that not only mimic traditional learning spaces but also provide dynamic and engaging experiences that are often missing from remote education. 

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

With the support of sector content licenses (98%) and hardware deals (95%) in HE, institutions can leverage MR to provide immersive simulations that allow students to apply theoretical concepts in a hands-on, risk-free environment. With MR, institutions can create virtual representations of real-world scenarios and systems, which helps students apply theoretical knowledge in a way that textbooks or traditional teaching methods alone cannot achieve. In industries such as health, engineering, and STEM, MR allows students to participate in simulations of medical procedures, technical processes, or scientific experiments without the need for physical lab equipment or the risk of harm.

MR enables active learning, where students don't just passively absorb information; they actively engage with the material. By placing theoretical concepts within immersive environments, MR creates interactive experiences that force students to apply knowledge to solve real-world problems. In fields like medicine, students may study human anatomy theoretically, but when they use MR to explore 3D models of the human body or perform virtual surgeries, they engage with the content more deeply. 

Future-Ready Education

Familiarising students with Mixed Reality (MR) technology plays a critical role in preparing them for future careers in industries that are increasingly adopting AR, VR, and MR technologies. By engaging with MR technology, students gain hands-on experience with tools and platforms that are improving industries such as healthcare, engineering, entertainment, and education. This practical exposure allows them to build a solid foundation of technical skills that are in high demand by employers. For engineering students, using MR for virtual prototyping or design visualisation will give them an advantage in industries where product development and collaboration are increasingly reliant on immersive technologies.

133 respondents provided comments around the most important thing Jisc can do to support organisations which further highlighted that advice and guidance, reducing costs and sharing of best practice are
the main priorities.

Conclusion:

Mixed Reality (MR) has the potential to profoundly impact education by revolutionising the way students engage with learning content, making it more interactive, immersive, and accessible. MR technology offers immersive, hands-on learning experiences that captivate students' attention and keep them engaged. By blending the physical and digital worlds, MR allows learners to interact with content in ways that traditional methods cannot. For example, healthcare students can practice surgery through simulations, and engineering students can conduct virtual experiments. This type of engagement not only enhances learning but also boosts motivation by making learning feel more relevant and exciting. MR makes education more inclusive by catering to diverse learning needs. It enables personalised learning experiences that can be tailored to individual students' learning speeds, styles, and preferences. For instance, students with disabilities can benefit from MR by accessing virtual environments that accommodate their needs, like providing audio descriptions for visual content or interactive experiences.

With the right support, such as sector-wide licensing deals and content stores tailored to curriculums, MR can be a highly flexible solution that is adaptable across a wide range of institutions. MR can be quickly and easily implemented across various subject areas, offering a flexible, cost-effective approach to scaling immersive learning experiences. 

MR technology is set to revolutionise education by enhancing student engagement, supporting personalised learning, enabling real-world skill development, and making education more accessible and inclusive. As institutions embrace MR, it holds the potential to transform the learning experience, offering a flexible, scalable, and effective approach to preparing students for the future of work.