Extended Reality and the Metaverse in Education: Towards Immersive Collaborative Learning

This chapter aims to examine the role of extended reality technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and the metaverse in enabling immersive collaborative learning. Due to their immersive and interactive nature, extended reality technologies and the metaverse could transform traditional collaborative learning in an attempt to achieve better learning outcomes. Immersive collaborative learning is an educational approach which combines immersive technologies (e.g. extended reality technologies and the metaverse) with collaborative learning and cooperative learning strategies and methods to render learning more effective, interactive, and engaging. Based on the results, the use of extended reality technologies and the metaverse can create the appropriate conditions and settings to enable immersive collaborative learning. Compared to traditional collaborative learning, immersive collaborative learning has the potential to further improve students’ development and learning outcomes, create more ubiquitous and inclusive learning environments. By integrating immersive collaborative learning, the social presence and social skills of students can be improved, and their learning achievements, engagement, and motivation can be increased. The use of extended reality technologies and the metaverse in immersive collaborative learning emerged as a means that provides meaningful learning and can support and enrich students’ cognitive and social-emotional development.