Mixed reality (MR) is truly having a moment. While technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are quite popular, mixed reality is also growing in popularity, especially in the education sector.

Mixed reality provides immersive and engaging learning experiences by combining the virtual and physical worlds. It makes learning more dynamic by changing how people interact with their surroundings.

In this blog post, we’ll be talking about what is mixed reality and how it is shaping the future of education and training.

Let’s begin.

TL;DR

• Mixed reality (MR) takes learners on virtual trips, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject being studied.
• MR headsets are mostly wireless and battery-operated. You can take them anywhere and turn any location into a training facility.
• Simulating real-world scenarios, MR enables students to practice surgeries and other high-risk training in safe and controlled environments.
• MR brings abstract concepts (such as chemical reactions) to life and makes them more tangible and understandable.
• MR-based educational apps make learning enjoyable and keep users engaged throughout the learning process.
• Despite challenges like cost and accessibility, mixed reality is set to change the future of learning.

What is Mixed Reality (MR)

Mixed reality is an immersive technology that falls in between virtual and augmented reality. It’s not just a fusion of AR and VR but also integrates 3D modeling, 360-degree video capture, and other advanced tools that combine the physical world with digital elements in real-time.

Unlike virtual reality, which creates a fully virtual world, or augmented reality, which creates a partial digital world, mixed reality (MR) seamlessly merges both realms by integrating virtual objects into the physical environments of the learners.

This seamless integration bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and their practical applications by creating a cohesive environment in which learners can engage with both virtual and physical elements.

The Rise of Mixed Reality in Education

If we look at the past few years, education has gone through some remarkable changes. From traditional chalkboards to smartboards, and now to immersive technologies, it has evolved a lot. Mixed reality is the next step in this evolution journey.

According to market research, the global mixed-reality sector is projected to grow at 44.39% annually from 2023 to 2033, reaching nearly USD 158.37 Billion.

A key factor behind this remarkable market growth is the increasing use of mixed reality (MR) devices in education around the world. Schools, universities, and corporations are investing lots of money to make learning and training more fun and interactive.

Why MR Learning Experiences Are the Future

By bringing together virtual and physical worlds, mixed reality offers a futuristic approach to learning and training. Not only MR addresses the limitations of traditional teaching methods but also opens new doors for creativity and innovation.

Here are five compelling reasons why we think mixed reality learning experiences are set to define the future of education and training:

Virtual Field Trips

Think about the traditional field trips. Aren’t they limited by geographical, financial, and logistical constraints? Mixed reality eliminates these constraints to ensure nobody misses out on exploring remarkable locations.

What mixed reality does is, it creates virtual field trips. It enables learners to visit distant planets, witness historical events, or explore different ecosystems, all without leaving their classroom.

Such immersive experiences widen the horizons of students and help create a deeper understanding of the subject being studied. This also supports inclusivity by offering audio and video aids or other interactive prompts that help people with learning disabilities.

Example:

Google Expeditions allows trainers and educators to take their learners on virtual field trips to various locations and natural wonders. Through MR headsets, the learners can explore places like the Great Wall of China and the International Space Station, all while staying within their classrooms.

Turning Any Location Into a Training Ground

Mixed reality overlays digital elements onto physical spaces. As such, it can help turn any location into a fully equipped training facility. With MR simulations, you can simulate a medical ward, factory floor, construction site, or any other location.

It’s interesting to note that the majority of MR headsets are battery-operated and wireless. So you can take them anywhere and use them on the go. Your learners won’t require dedicated training sites to practice skills effectively.

Example:

Mercedes-Benz is saving time and money for their technicians by sending MR devices to car dealerships. These devices help local engineers fix problems they don’t know how to handle on their own by connecting with leading experts in real time.

Safe Environments for High-Risk Training

Mixed reality thrives in simulating real-world scenarios. This allows students and learners to practice skills in secure and controlled environments.

Whether it’s performing surgical procedures, conducting architectural walkthroughs, or practicing emergency response drills, mixed reality enables learners to gain hands-on experience without the risks associated with otherwise real-world, dangerous situations.

This learning approach boosts confidence among learners and prepares them for the professional careers they are going to pursue in the future.

Example:

In the field of engineering, “Engineering Grade AR” is a good example of how mixed reality can create safe and effective training environments. Using advanced AR and mixed reality systems, “Engineering Grade AR” helps engineers visualize complex designs, identify issues, and improve the overall design process while minimizing errors and accelerating project timelines.

Bringing Abstract Ideas to Life

Subjects like science and mathematics are loaded with abstract concepts. For instance, teaching students about concepts like waves, energy, and chemical reactions can be tough using traditional methods. Thanks to MR, educators can now put these concepts into visual form, making them more tangible and understandable.

Example:

Elements 4D is a mixed-reality application that helps students visualize complex chemical reactions in 3D. Students can use special blocks that represent different elements and combine them to create new compounds while seeing the chemical reactions happen.

Gamified Education: Learning Through Play

We’re living in an era where people have extremely short attention spans. Keeping this in view, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep learners engaged during the education process. However, MR-based educational apps provide a great way to make learning enjoyable and keep users engaged.

By combining learning goals with interactive gameplay, these apps motivate learners to actively participate in the learning process, compete with each other, and win awards and recognition.

Example:

Quiver is a mixed-reality coloring application that turns 2D coloring pages into interactive 3D experiences. The students color objects or characters on paper and once they are finished doing so, the Quiver app shows the drawings in augmented reality (AR). This way, the app inspires creativity and storytelling among the students while providing an immersive coloring experience.

Conclusive Remarks

Mixed reality is shaping the future of education and training at every level. Its capacity to fuse real and virtual worlds creates countless opportunities for more engaging and effective education.

Even though mixed reality is gaining steam, its widespread adoption in the education sector faces a number of challenges. For example, the need for specialized equipment, limited content availability, restricted access for low-income students, and regulatory hurdles can slow down its growth.

However, as technology advances and these challenges are fixed, mixed reality can transform learning for all.