A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) to create the Centre for Immersive Learning and Metaverse in Education (CILME).
PolyU and EdUHK are collaborating to establish the Centre for Immersive Learning and Metaverse in Education (CILME) with the aim of creating a collaborative infrastructure for interdisciplinary research to impact education. The Centre will focus on the study of technology-enhanced learning and teaching, specifically examining how immersive experiences like virtual reality and the metaverse can improve cognitive processing, attention, memory, brain function, and learning outcomes.
CILME will leverage the cross-disciplinary research, learning sciences, and pedagogical innovation strengths and expertise of PolyU and EdUHK to incubate technology-based innovations in education, nurture researchers, and facilitate knowledge transfer in teaching and curriculum design for both institutions and the community at large.
CILME’s Co-Director, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Sin Wai Kin Professor in Humanities and Technology at PolyU stated that in recent years, the education sector has actively used digital technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and metaverse technologies, to enhance learning effectiveness and provide real-world experiences to learners.
The Centre for Immersive Learning and Metaverse in Education (CILME) will enable researchers and educators to work together closely in developing technological applications and solutions for immersive and active learning. At PolyU, the institution boasts sophisticated interdisciplinary research capabilities, a centralised teaching facility in VR/AR, and a strong industry network. By leveraging these strengths and collaborating with EdUHK, PolyU aims to push the boundaries of education and technology to benefit learners, educators, and society.
CILME’s other Co-Director, Vice President (Research and Development) and Peter T. C. Lee Professor in Psychology at EdUHK stated that the University has identified educational technology as a key strategic area for development. At EdUHK, a team of researchers and educators have a deep expertise in learning sciences and pedagogical innovation within the school sector. They are leaders in the development of learning theories and the application of innovative technology-based pedagogies in kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools.
Through the partnership with PolyU, EdUHK will be able to synergise its educational technology expertise with PolyU’s strengths in interdisciplinary research. By combining their areas of expertise, the collaboration aims to create technology that is both instructive, relevant, and interactive for learners, as well as adaptable, effective, and user-friendly for teachers.
The collaborative efforts between PolyU and EdUHK, as per the agreement, will involve both basic and applied research in metaverse and immersive technologies. Through this research, the universities aim to advance the knowledge and understanding of these emerging technologies and their potential applications in the field of education.
By gaining a deeper understanding of the strengths and limitations of these technologies, the universities can develop practical guidelines that will help shape the educational values of these technologies for students, while taking into consideration the ethical, social, and cultural implications.
In addition to research, the collaboration also aims to promote immersive learning among teachers and educators. Regular workshops, seminars, and conferences will be organized to provide educators with opportunities to learn about and experience these technologies first-hand.
Through these events, the universities hope to foster a culture of innovation and experimentation in education, where immersive learning and metaverse technologies are leveraged to improve learning outcomes and enhance the overall educational experience. Ultimately, this collaboration seeks to drive positive change in the education sector and benefit students, educators, and the community at large.
