XR4Edu 2025

Workshop Website: XR4Edu 2025

The rise of computer-based systems and technologies, such as computers and smartphones, has led to a greater application of Interactive Media in Education, particularly through digital games and virtual environments. Among the technologies used for education, immersive technologies based on Extended Reality (XR) stand out for their benefits in the learning process. They enable students to engage more deeply with the subjects being taught and help them develop essential skills such as communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
However, implementing new technologies in schools presents several challenges. For example, many schools lack adequate physical infrastructure, including necessary equipment, reliable internet connections, and suitable facilities. Additionally, there is often a gap in knowledge among teachers and other staff that can hinder the proper application of these technologies. Therefore, we are excited to present the 1st edition of the Extended Reality for Education (XR4Edu) workshop. This year, the theme is “Challenges of Interacting with XR Technologies in Educational Contexts: Perspectives of Educators and Learners”, aiming to explore the challenges and opportunities that arise from implementing Extended Reality (XR) in educational settings. We hope to bring together teachers and students from Basic Education, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and other professionals and scientists working in the area of Education to promote the exposure of different perspectives, experiences and knowledge so that, at the end of the event, the discussions and papers generated contribute to the development of this theme. The scope of the workshop is outlined by the following themes: (1) methods and experiences in the application of XR technologies in education and (2) challenges and barriers in the use of XR in education. Below, we suggest some of the topics, but submissions are not limited to them. This workshop aligns with the main theme of the event by incorporating stakeholders’ perspectives (teachers, students, and researchers) in utilizing and implementing the XR technology for educational purposes. It also acknowledges the possibilities of innovation and diversity made available by using interactive media based on XR in the learning process.

Topics:
1) Experiences and methodologies in the use of XR in Education

• Experiences in training Basic Education teachers in the use of XR.
• Methods for integrating XR technologies in Education.
• Case studies on the application of XR in the classroom.
• Methods for evaluating and monitoring the application of XR in Education.

2) Perspectives on the use of XR in Education

• Techniques and methodologies for teachers to use XR in Education.
• The learner’s view: the impact of XR on their engagement and motivation.
• The role of researchers in the development, application and evaluation of XR in Education.

3) Challenges and barriers in using XR in classroom

• Difficulties in use by teachers: perspectives and possibilities for training.
• Financial and technological barriers, such as implementation costs and lack of infrastructure.
• Barriers resulting from lack of accessibility and inclusion, and how to combat them.

4) Innovation and Diversity in XR

• Cultural, legal and local aspects for deploying XR technologies in educational contexts.
• Diversity, inclusion and accessibility in using XR in educational contexts.
• The use of XR as a way of customizing the teaching process.
• The use of XR in specific disciplines (such as Mathematic, Art, History, etc.) and the possibilities for transformation in them.

5) The future of XR in Education and its trends• The impact of XR on Education and its ability to create new teaching practices and shape the future of Education.

• The impact of XR on collaborative and distance learning.
• Proposals for innovative XR projects applied in the educational context.

6) Ethics and sustainability when using XR in Education

• Privacy and data security in the application of XR in educational contexts.
• Technological sustainability: minimizing environmental and economic impacts.
• Ethical aspects in the use of XR in Education and the importance of public educational policies for this purpose.

Type of submissions/contributions:

Submissions may include exploratory articles, extended summaries of ongoing or completed research, and case studies describing XR applications in education. Each submission must be a 2-4 page (excluding references) document formatted using the ACM template, available on Overleaf: https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/acm-conference-proceedings-primary-article-template/wbvnghjbzwpc . After the authors’ submissions are accepted, they must also submit a short (2-5 minutes) video about their work. The video will be added to a playlist on Youtube and made available for other participants, giving them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with other works for the panel discussions. 

Workshop Format:
XR4Edu will be an one-day on-site event at ACM IMX 2025, but we are open to adding online presentations through a hybrid format if enough potential contributors show interest.

Organizers:

• Laura Coura, UFOP – Brazil
• Saul Delabrida, UFOP – Brazil
• Reinaldo Fortes, UFOP – Brazil
• Sílvia Amélia Bim, UTFPR – Brazil
• Davinia Hernández-Leo, UPF – Spain

XR4Edu 2025 Workshop TPC chairs:

• Laura Martins da Costa Coura Marinho (laura.coura@aluna.ufop.edu.br)
• Saul Emanuel Delabrida Silva (saul.delabrida@ufop.edu.br).