Springer Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Realities in Education (Smart Computing and Intelligence)

This book describes the current state of the art of various types of immersive learning: in research, in practice, and in the marketplace. It discusses advanced approaches in the design and development for various forms of immersive learning environments, and also the emerging innovations in assessment and research in the field. In addition, it demonstrates the opportunities and challenges in implementing advances in VR and immersion at scale in formal and informal learning. We are living in a time of rapid advances in terms of both the capabilities and the cost of virtual reality, multi-user virtual environments, and various forms of mixed reality. These new media potentially offer extraordinary opportunities for enhancing both motivation and learning across a range of subject areas, student developmental levels, and educational settings. With the development of practical and affordable virtual reality and mixed reality, people now have the chance to experience immersive learning both in classrooms and informally in homes, libraries, and community centers. The book appeals to a broad readership including teachers, administrators, scholars, policy makers, instructional designers, evaluators and industry leaders. From the Back Cover This book describes the current state of the art of various types of immersive learning: in research, in practice, and in the marketplace. It discusses advanced approaches in the design and development for various forms of immersive learning environments, and also the emerging innovations in assessment and research in the field. In addition, it demonstrates the opportunities and challenges in implementing advances in VR and immersion at scale in formal and informal learning. We are living in a time of rapid advances in terms of both the capabilities and the cost of virtual reality, multi-user virtual environments, and various forms of mixed reality. These new media potentially offer extraordinary opportunities for enhancing both motivation and learning across a range of subject areas, student developmental levels, and educational settings. With the development of practical and affordable virtual reality and mixed reality, people now have the chance to experience immersive learning both in classrooms and informally in homes, libraries, and community centers. The book appeals to a broad readership including teachers, administrators, scholars, policy makers, instructional designers, evaluators and industry leaders. About the Author Dejian Liu is the founder of NetDragon Websoft Holding Ltd., one of the most successful online gaming companies in China. In 2015, he was awarded the Special Allowance Expert in China's State Council. In 2010, he founded Huayu Education, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetDragon. Huayu integrates worldwide cutting-edge education resources with leading mobile internet technology. Huayu specializes in K-12 and life-long education for learners all over the world. Huayu Education recently earned a Smart Media Award from Academics' Choice for producing a top-quality product, 101 Education, which improves teachers' experience in preparing lessons. He is certified as a senior engineer by the China Association of Science and Technology, the highest level of proficiency awarded. He is co-dean and chair of the Council for the Smart Learning Institute, an academic department at Beijing Normal University. In this capacity, he teaches a course on Virtual Reality Applications in Education, and he co-teaches a doctoral-student seminar on virtual reality and Visualization in Education. Mr. Liu graduated with a B.S. from the University of Kansas in 1995. Chris Dede is the Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. His interests include emerging technologies, policy, and leadership. From 2014-2015, he was a Visiting Expert at NSF, Directorate of Education and Human Resources. Chris has served