Immersive Technology in the Classroom: Making Sense of Immersive XR in Education

Join the XR Association (XRA) and ITIF for three engaging presentations with representatives from two universities, Bismarck State College and the University of Rochester, and an XR education solution provider, Chocolate Milk & Donuts. Together, they will share practical insights into the real-world impact of immersive technology on teaching and learning—including how XR can deliver value for institutions, educators, and students.

Extended Reality (XR) is creating new opportunities for meaningful, hands-on learning. Once viewed as experimental, technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) are increasingly helping educators bring complex concepts and experiences to life.

Research on experiential learning shows that powerful learning happens when meaningful experiences are paired with reflection, discussion, and opportunities to apply new ideas. XR can provide the experience—but educators make it instructionally valuable by connecting it to explanation, modeling, dialogue, and assessment.

Across higher education and workforce-training settings, immersive learning is already supporting important outcomes. Nursing students can practice clinical decision-making in realistic scenarios, workers can prepare safely for hazardous environments, and learners can gain hands-on experience with situations that may otherwise be too costly, dangerous, or difficult to recreate in a traditional classroom.