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University Online Education Services
Rutgers logo
University Online Education Services

Immersive Learning Environments

Immersive technologies—including games, simulations, and extended reality—offer new approaches to address persistent pedagogical challenges across disciplines. Our team provides consultation and support to help faculty and academic units successfully integrate these tools into their teaching and learning environments. 

Learning Through Immersion

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Interactive environments enable students to engage with content that would otherwise be logistically challenging or impossible—from archaeological sites to economic markets to complex biological systems.

Discipline-Specific Applications

Immersive technologies can be tailored to address the unique needs of different fields—from medical simulations and engineering modeling to historical recreations and business strategy games. We help identify and evaluate solutions that align with your discipline's specific learning objectives and curricular requirements.

Inclusive Design Approaches

We help teams consider accessibility from the beginning, ensuring selected technologies and implementation approaches accommodate diverse learning styles and physical capabilities. 

Active Learning Support

Games and simulations transform passive content consumption into active problem-solving, encouraging students to apply knowledge in dynamic, consequence-rich environments. 

Understanding Immersive Technologies

View the definition of the various technologies to help understand which might be the best choice for your curriculum.

Educational Games and Simulations

Provide structured environments where students can experiment, fail safely, and iterate on solutions. Game-based learning promotes engagement through clear objectives, immediate feedback, and progressive skill development. Simulations can support hypothesis testing, systems thinking, and complex problem-solving. Applications range from business strategy simulations to language learning games to historical decision-making scenarios. 

Augmented Reality (AR)

Overlays digital elements onto the real world, allowing students to interact with virtual objects in physical spaces. AR enhances learning by providing contextual information, visualization tools, and interactive elements that complement traditional educational materials. Applications include interactive laboratory simulations, annotated field experiences, and enhanced textbooks. 

Virtual Reality (VR)

Immerses users completely in digital environments, enabling exploration of places, times, or concepts otherwise inaccessible. VR creates powerful experiential learning opportunities across disciplines—from historical reconstructions to molecular visualization to social simulations. This technology is particularly valuable for scenario-based learning where physical practice would be impractical, dangerous, or impossible. 

Mixed Reality (MR)

Combines digital and physical elements, enabling students to manipulate virtual objects within real space. This technology supports collaborative learning experiences and provides new approaches to spatial reasoning and design thinking. MR is particularly valuable for hands-on disciplines where students benefit from interacting with both digital models and physical materials simultaneously.

How We Can Help

Needs Assessment and Planning

We help faculty identify which immersive technologies best align with their learning objectives and course context. Our consultation process includes evaluating existing tools, assessing technical requirements, and developing implementation strategies that fit within your program's resources and timeline. 

Vendor and Platform Evaluation

Drawing on our experience across multiple platforms and providers, we assist departments in selecting appropriate tools. We provide guidance on both commercial solutions and open-source alternatives. 

Professional Development

Through workshops, individual consultation, and peer learning sessions, we support instructors as they develop skills in facilitating technology-enhanced learning experiences and integrating these tools effectively into their teaching practice.