Tomorrow’s classrooms will look completely different to today’s.

As the way young people consume information changes, the way in which we engage students and retain their attention changes with it.

Consequently, we’ve seen several emergent trends in the education space that aim to do just this. Namely, personalised, adaptive learning platforms powered by AI, flexible and collaborative learning spaces, advanced technologies and gamification, inclusive learning for SEND students, and an emphasis on soft skills, like social empathy and critical thinking.

At Igloo, we’ve been building shared immersive environments for over 15 years, and in that time, we’ve watched the technology grow from its inception into a powerful learning tool that is seeing widespread adoption from education institutions at all levels.

This is why we’ve designed the Igloo immersive classroom from the ground up to incorporate several future learning trends, with a software system that is constantly evolving to match the changing needs of learners.

So, we dived deep into these environments, what the wider market research says, and the tangible benefits to learning that we’ve discovered in our time in the business.

If you want to discover one of the most innovative and effective solutions that combines the classroom trends of the future, then read on...

The research

When defining immersive technology, it is usually categorised into three areas: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and eXtended Reality (XR). And market analysis predicts extremely high growth rates in all three. Here are some of the immersive education figures at a glance:

• AR – 43% increase in Compound Annual Growth Rate, from an already existing global market size $93.67bn, per Fortune Business Insights

• XR – 40% of Higher Education institutions have adopted XR for projects, 12% are using XR across multiple departments, and 90% of respondents said their adoption of XR will somewhat or significantly increase in the next five years, per a survey from EDUCAUSE

• VR – the largest of the three industries, VR Education alone is predicted to reach $65.55bn by 2032, per Fortune Business Insights.

Aside from wider market figures, there are some excellent studies into the practical effectiveness of immersive technology. For example, one study from PwC found that virtual learners completed training four times faster than those studying with traditional methods, and that they were four times more focused than e-learners.

Building on the market-wide research, we’ve worked with education providers from all over the world who have shared the positive impact that Igloo immersive classrooms have provided:

Learning Impact

Immersive learning in an Igloo classroom activates students’ senses, projecting the curriculum all around them for higher engagement. With Igloo’s compatibility with the digital education tools you use, you can also gamify learning for further engagement and incentivised learning.

Unlike other immersive learning tools, Igloo VR classrooms don’t require additional equipment, meaning the teacher retains essential face-to-face feedback and control over the session, making tracking student attainment easier.

Many educational institutions are also beginning to include immersive learning in summative assessment through ways such as designing 3D models for review in the space, creating interactive experiences, or even as an elevated presentational tool.

 

"There's absolutely a higher level of engagement. We interviewed the HE students about their experience with it. They were saying they had a much better perception and understanding compared to a textbook, and that it enabled them to visualise spatial awareness and parameters that they wouldn’t ever have been able to do if they didn't use an immersive experience."

Karen Anderton

Head of Teaching and Learning Academy, Wigan & Leigh College

 

Access and Opportunity

Igloo immersive classrooms have been purpose-built with accessibility and inclusion in mind. Through its ease of operation and ease of use, Igloo classrooms blend traditional and emergent technologies in a natural and fluid manner.

Without the need for additional equipment, it removes existing barriers to VR and dampens known issues with using external equipment, such as motion sickness and user experience.

Wraparound immersion also gives access to facilities that would otherwise be too costly, or logistically impossible, to use. And, because of the space afforded, you can incorporate props and professional equipment to aid in learning validity. In addition, this eliminates the potential risk to students, builds familiarity, and lowers the anxiety they feel once they go into the field.

“I think a huge benefit is that it can be used by non-experts; you don't have to have an education in virtual design. The threshold of using it is, from my perspective, not as high as with other systems.

It also really complements the super abstract that we often have in science, and the very, very concrete and contextualised. In having this in between space that you can really use to bring these worlds together.”

Daniel Lang

Professor for Real-World Laboratory Design, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

 

Inspire students, instil culture

Installing immersive technology represents a commitment to both the teachers and students at your institution. By adopting emergent technology, you ensure your institution remains at the forefront of learning and is an attractive proposition for prospective students and teachers.

Experience with digital tools that are also being adopted in the workplace is a high employability skill, and one that students can take with them as they enter the world of work.

We’ve also seen Igloo immersive classrooms serve a dual purpose as a tool for offering virtual campus tours or being used as the centrepiece at open days.

 

“I think students will remember this experience. I think they will remember because the type of content you use is very different to the classic content we usually use in classroom, like annotated figures. This is something that students are used to. 

They have seen thousands of figures and text, but when they come here and they see, for instance, a 3D model of something or a virtual microscope, it's very different from what they are used to.”

Phillippe Goncalves

Professor in Earth Science, Marie and Louis Pasteur University

 

Future-proofing and long-term value

When you invest in Igloo technology, you invest in a commitment to remain at the forefront of educational progress. Our technology is constantly evolving, and we ensure all customers have access to the latest software updates and features, free of charge.

We also have an experienced Customer Success team, who are on hand to maximise your usage of Igloo and ensure long-term satisfaction. They can also introduce you to an existing network of users, sharing best practices and use cases from other institutions around the world.

 

“When it first came, I didn't know anything about the technology at all. After about three weeks, I realised it was going to be something pretty amazing. After 6 months, we had evidence to say, 'wow, this is a game changer', and now after two-and-a-half years, we're just seeing more and more possibilities that we hadn't even envisaged.”

Gerard Elder

Immersive Learning Lead, Sunderland College

 

The Igloo opinion

When looking at the VR classroom trends of the future, many have promise, yet remain speculative. We firmly believe in the efficacy of immersive learning, and scientific research alongside customer feedback is vindicating that belief.

If you do decide to invest in immersive learning or spec it for your K-12 institution, we recommend focusing on three areas, namely, ease-of-use, cross-curriculum buy-in, and long-term value.

Emergent technologies can often be seen as difficult or perhaps intimidating to use, leading to them becoming an expensive elephant in the room. When evaluating potential virtual reality in the classroom options, it is important to consider if it is prohibitively difficult for teachers to operate or whether it fits seamlessly into existing lesson plans and works with current digital tools.

Many immersive technologies have a narrow focus, being very good at the one or few things they do, but don’t provide value across the entire curriculum. We believe that immersive technology should be used by everyone, at every level, and so it is important that the tech you choose comes with that capability.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is the long-term satisfaction of your purchase. When selecting a system for K-12, you want to be confident that the technology you choose will remain a fundamental part of teaching for years to come. We recommend evaluating the customer commitment of each option, whether the software is updated consistently, and if they show a willingness to help your institution achieve its goals.

If you’re interested in incorporating an immersive classroom into your educational facility, then contact us today to find out more.

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