Modelling the Application of Best Practices for Choosing Extended Reality Learning Applications in the Covid-19 Context
Abstract: The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted education globally, shutting down academic institutions and requiring a rapid move to remote learning. This transition has served to magnify existing educational inequities, most significantly impacting learners of lower socioeconomic status and those identifying as women, living with disabilities, or residing in in rural areas. Prior to the pandemic, extended reality was being recognized for its ability to enable experiential learning in settings where this would otherwise be challenging or impossible. As instructors contemplate how to bring experiential learning to diverse and disperse learners, they must do so with these magnified disparities in mind. Building on the authors’ previously established framework for choosing, using, and designing XR learning experiences, this project models the application of the choosing component, develops a practical XR tool selection guide, and briefly discusses the need for educators and developers to collaboratively facilitate equitable learning opportunities for pandemic and post-pandemic learners.