OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework

Abstract

The contribution of the OXREF framework is a holistic approach to XR mainstreaming in education starting with the creation of objects following OEP, deployment using the latest cloud-based technologies and FOSS and policy creation for scalability and sustainability.

Full text

OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
Ishan Abeywardena, PhD
Associate Director, Systems
iabeywardena.com/ishantalksvr
linkedin.com/in/ishansa | iabeywar@uwaterloo.ca

The Promise
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
New and more affordable XR technologies provide
promising directions and opportunities to immerse
learners in the curriculum, offering deeper and more
vivid learning experiences and extending the
learning environment (EDUCASE Horizon Report,
20018).
With the support of the UN SDG Action Campaign,
delegates and OECD staff were able to immerse
themselves in the world of Sidra, a 12-year-old
Syrian Refugee living in Za’tari refugee camp in Jordan
(UNVR).
It definitely beats just using textbooks! MGIEP
sees immersive experiences such as VR as an integral
part of socio-emotional learning for our
younger generations as they face 21st century
challenges to build a peaceful and sustainable planet
(UNESCO MGIEP).
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/D5gtoH

The Reality
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
Many of these investments remain isolated pilot
projects which tease at what the potential
future of education could be, but unlikely due
to scalability and sustainability.
It’s expensive
It’s just too much work!

OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
XR Object Creation
with OEP XR Object Deployment
with cloud/FOSS
XR Object Policy
for Scalability and Sustainability

XR OBJECT CREATION
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XR Object Creation
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Addresses the three major
barriers identified at three
distinct levels:
Level 1 – creation of
the XR objects
Level 2 – pedagogical
and instructional design
input
Level 3 – sustainability
through OEP including
open access and OER

Voyager
Virtual Reality Object
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
iabeywardena.com/ishantalksvr

Level1: XR Object
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
Art
•Backgrounds (space)
•Characters (spaceship)
•3D objects (planets)
•Animations (space flight)
Software
•Graphics editors (Inkscape)
•3D object creators (Blender, GIMP,
Sketchup)
•Animation software (A-Frame VR)
Story
•Theme (space)
•Script (spaceflight through
solar system)
•Tone (informal)
•Style (cartoon)
•Plot (spaceflight passing
planets)
Cast
•Spaceship
Setting
•Space
•Solar system
•Launch pad
•Destination
•Planets
Scene
•Spaceship launch
•Voyage through space
•Pass planets
•Arrive at destination

Level2: Pedagogy and Instructional Design
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Open Tools
•Use of free and open source tools
(FOSS)
•ALMS
•Access to editing tools?
•Level of expertise required
to revise or remix?
•Meaningfully editable?
•Source‐file access?
Open Platforms
•Artifact archive (MediaWiki)
•Code library (Git)
•Searchable repository (Dspace)
Instructional Design
•ADDIE
•Analysis
•Design
•Development
•Implementation
•Evaluation

Level3: Scalability and Sustainability
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
Open Repositories (OR)
•Content repositories
•Portal repositories
•Hybrid repositories
•Metadata (IEEE-LOM, DCMI)
•Search
•Federated
•Semantic
Open Educational Prcatices (OEP)
•open educational resources
•open/public pedagogies
•open learning
•open scholarship
•open sharing (of teaching
practice)
•open technologies
Open Educational Resources
(OER)
•Reuse
•Revise
•Remix
•Redistribute
•Retain

XR OBJECT DEPLOYMENT
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Dancing Man
Augmented Reality Object
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iabeywardena.com/ishantalksvr

XR Object Deployment
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XR Object Deployment
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Why Use Browser-based or Web VR?
Instant access from multipole devices
Easily embedded in LMS
Easy integration of web data
Cross-platform compatibility
Faster, cheaper development
No downloads or deployments
Fast and agile updates/modifications
to content
No specialist equipment needed
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/NoCoJ8

XR OBJECT POLICY
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Anatomy Explorer
Augmented Reality Object
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iabeywardena.com/ishantalksvr

XR Object Policy
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XR OBJECT FUN
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Ironman &
Spiderman
Mixed Reality Object
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Next Steps
Projectizing OXREF for implementation
Defining inputs, outputs, outcomes and
impact
Pilot project for preliminary data
gathering
Identifying long-term scalability and
sustainability factors
All feedback will be much appreciated
iabeywar@uwaterloo.ca | linkedin.com/in/ishansa
OXREF: Open Extended Reality For Education Framework