With the rise in popularity in immersive classrooms, we’re seeing more and more educators ask a vital question: what does teaching in an immersive space really look like?

To explore this, we hosted a panel at our new demo center, at The Ion in Houston, bringing together thought leaders in architecture, VR content creation, and education. Together, they unpacked the opportunities and challenges of using shared immersive spaces in schools.

Moderated by our very own Rebecca Wade, who leads Igloo’s US Education team, the panel featured:

• Matthew Chaussee, CEO of CareerViewXR
• Michael Zepeda, Associate Principal at PBK and President of Ether Design Lab
• Creighton Bryan, Executive CTE Director at Richardson ISD

The panel was a thought-provoking discussion around immersive learning and teaching. So just incase you couldn't make it, we thought we’d cover some of the top takeaways from the conversation below...

1. Immersive spaces foster equity, engagement, and access

Creighton highlighted the powerful impact immersive learning can have on equity. At Richardson ISD, they’ve introduced students to college campuses and career sites using 3D virtual tours, something that would be cost-prohibitive to do in person at scale. “There’s a huge equity piece to programs like these,” he said. “We’re able to bring students into spaces they wouldn’t otherwise see.”

Matthew echoed this, pointing out that around 1 in 10 people can't wear a VR headset, whether due to vision impairments or other barriers. That’s why shared immersive spaces are so important—they offer a more inclusive, collaborative, and accessible alternative.

2. Diverse content sparks curiosity

Matthew also emphasised the value of diverse content. At CareerViewXR, his team builds immersive career experiences that excite learners across different backgrounds. “It’s about showing every student something that excites them,” he explained. From aerospace engineers to police officers, the range of content allows students to see futures they may never have imagined.

Plus, to support educators and organisations getting started, Matthew even offers a production grant to help speakers and institutions create their first immersive experiences.

3. Design with flexibility and cost-efficiency in mind

Michael, whose team at PBK designs future-focused learning spaces, emphasised the importance of flexibility. “It’s not just about building a space - it’s about understanding the systems and the options available,” he said. The goal is to give educators tools that can grow with them and adapt to evolving needs.

One practical insight? Michael pointed out that darker immersive spaces allow for less expensive projectors, which means schools can save on hardware costs without sacrificing quality. Small design choices like this can make immersive technology more accessible for schools of all sizes.

4. Take a phased approach: awareness, exploration, implementation

Rolling out immersive technology in education isn’t just about plugging in new hardware - it’s about guiding people through a mindset shift. Creighton shared a clear and effective three-step framework for doing just that: awareness, exploration, and implementation.

First, build awareness - introduce educators, administrators, and students to what immersive spaces are and the possibilities they unlock. Next, create opportunities for exploration, giving teachers the time and support to experiment, ask questions, and see the potential for their own subjects or classrooms. Then move into implementation, when the technology becomes a regular, purposeful part of the learning environment.

This structured approach ensures immersive tools don’t just make a splash - they make a difference.

5. It's not an add-on, it’s an enhancement

Ultimately, this isn’t about tacking on flashy tech. It’s about enhancing what already works in education. As Creighton put it, immersive learning “isn’t an add-on - it’s an extra.” That subtle distinction reflects how these tools should amplify, not replace, what teachers and schools are already doing.

And students remember the experiences. When they use tools like Matterport to explore behind-the-scenes locations or step into real-world environments, it sticks. They feel the learning in a way that’s hard to replicate with traditional methods.

The conversation at our Immersive Insights panel was a strong reminder of just how much potential there is when immersive technology meets thoughtful design and pedagogy. Whether it’s building spaces with PBK, creating engaging content with CareerViewXR, or transforming student experiences at Richardson ISD, our partners are showing what’s possible.

As always, if you’re curious about how immersive spaces could work in your school, we’d love to talk.

Get in touch

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