XR for education and research

Extended Reality (XR) technology can add value to both research and teaching and brings challenges. How do you integrate XR into teaching and research? How do you handle applications? And what does it mean for privacy and ethics? SURF promotes the use of XR in research and education and helps institutions to do so.

XR Day image
XR in het onderwijs - toekomst

Month of XR

The developments of XR within education and research are moving fast. Therefore, during the month of September we will pay extra attention to the possibilities of XR (virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality). Keep an eye on this page for the latest updates.

Or follow us on our social media channels:
SURF
Online education hotline.

Livestream XR

Edition XR in education launched

What are the possibilities, opportunities, applications, challenges and obstacles of eXtended Reality for education? Who are engaged in this? Where are we now and where are we going? Read more in the issue XR in education.

Download the publication

Harry Bitter

Highlights National XR Day

The first National XR Day was organised by SURF and TU Delft Library on 5 July. More than 220 visitors interacted and discovered what eXtended Reality (XR) can bring to education and research. The National XR Day was a real eye-opener for the possibilities that exist in the field of XR. Read more about the highlights of the National XR Day or watch videos of the presentations that were recorded.

Webinars and workshops

Nationaal XR event 2024

Webinar: Network technology and XR | opportunities and challenges

In this webinar, we will show some of the possibilities when it comes to using networking and XR. What are the current experiences of institutions to create a shared XR environment? And what are the possibilities with 5G? And how can a service like SURF IoTroam help?

Date: 2 September
Time: 14:30 - 16:15

Register

IT circle

Does Metaverse offer opportunities?

In this online session, we discuss the opportunities and progress of organisations within Metaverse. During this session, we will engage with KPN, TNO, Rabobank, Inholland and SURF about where they see opportunities for Metaverse, what holds them back, what opportunities Metaverse (or other technology) has.

Date: 28 September 2023
Time: 15:30 - 17:00

Send an email to projectoffice@surf.nl stating your name, organisation and email address if you would like to participate.

Man wearing virtual headset background generative AI

Webinar: Preparing students for VR. How to do it.

By preparing students well for VR training, they get much more out of it. But how do you prepare students properly? In this webinar, we discuss the importance of good preparation and what it takes to do so. In addition, several good practices will be shared.

Date: 15 September 2023
Time: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Sign up

Blogs en artikelen

XR on tour

Podcast on XR

A short 15-minute podcast about eXtended Reality (XR), its possibilities and developments, use in education and research, and National XR Day on 5 July next.
Listen to the Podcast -> What you need to know about XR

National XR day 2023

A National Day to Reflect on XR and our Responsibilities to each other

As XR technologies become increasingly ubiquitous in our daily lives, it is crucial that we explore the ethical implications and consider ways to promote responsible use and understanding of impact in education and research alike.

Read the blog

Esther Mertens XR day 2023

Current | Apple Vision Pro

It's been almost two weeks and the world of eXtended Reality feels different since Apple entered the XR market with the announcement of the Vision Pro headset. After years of rumours that such a moment would come, the XR market changed overnight. Paul Melis and his team explored what the Vision Pro could mean for XR in education and research.

Read the whole blog

Trends

Trendreport cover chapter eXtended reality

Trend report eXtended Reality

  • Enriching XR by combining technologies
  • Virtual social interactions are becoming more sophisticated
  • New equipment for new realities
  • An increasing number of ethical concerns
  • A fragmented ecosystem

Download the Trend Report

Education

XR in het onderwijs

Webinar | Feedback in VR: what works?

Giving feedback in such a way that it feeds and helps the student's learning process? That is quite a challenge. VR applications offer additional opportunities to give (automatic) feedback, but make developing the right mix of feedback complex. Are you working on (practical) education in VR within your institution or do you want to start working on this soon?

Watch the webinar back or read the report.

webinar XR

Webinar | Deploying VR/AR yourself. A good idea?

Interest in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) is growing rapidly. It is increasingly being used in education. The webinar on 26 May discussed the pros and cons of VR, AR and MR in education. This awareness is necessary to make a good consideration. The roadmap that was presented can practically help with that. Read the webinar highlights or watch the webinar recording.

Student PleitVRij

Students learn virtual pleading with PleitVRij

At Utrecht University, law students emerge from a classroom in their gowns. They practise pleading in a virtual environment. This way, they can practice their speaking skills in a realistic way and learn from each other. Their first reaction; 'what a cool experience!

Read the use case

Leerling met VR bril

Good examples XR in education

Looking for good examples of educational innovation with ICT? A number of good examples related to XR have been developed. Download the good examples and use them to innovate your education!

Innovation with VR and 3D theatre
An innovative working form combining VR and 3D theatre
Download the template here >

VR Fire Safety
VR module Fire Safety as part of the Aviation Services course
Downloadthe template > or the article >

VR Pharmacy Assistant
Using virtual reality to successfully practice practical skills
Download thetemplate > or the article >

VR Low literacy
A VR module to raise awareness of low literacy
Download the template >

VR Motivational Interviewing
Practising motivational interviewing in Virtual Reality
Downloadthe template > or the article >

XR tool for patient case studies
XR tool for students with specific case histories to prepare for practice
Download thetemplate > or the article >

General

Man in grijs shirt stelt een vraag

XR Developers Network

With the XR Developers network, we want to bring people together to take the use of XR for education and research in the Netherlands to the next level from a technical and development perspective. The XR Developer Network organises regular meetings and builds a thriving community around the technical sides of eXtended Reality. Interested in joining? Send an email to xr@surf.nl

Apple vision pro

Actueel | Apple Vision Pro

De wereld van eXtended Reality voelt anders sinds Apple de XR-markt heeft betreden met de aankondiging van de Vision Pro-headset. Na jaren van geruchten dat zo'n moment zou komen, veranderde de XR-markt van de ene op de andere dag. Paul Melis en zijn team hebben onderzocht wat de Vision Pro kan betekenen voor XR in onderwijs en onderzoek.

Lees de hele blog

SURF Sounds

Podcast over XR

Een korte podcast van 15 minuten over eXtended Reality (XR), de mogelijkheden en ontwikkelingen, gebruik in onderwijs en onderzoek en de National XR Day op 5 Juli aanstaande.
Luister de Podcast ->  Wat je moet weten over XR

Communities

SIG Virtuality

Virtuality

Want to stay up to date on initiatives around serious gaming, simulations and virtual worlds within education and research? Then follow the community Virtuality or check out our YT channel @sigvirtuality.
Read more articles on Special Interest Group Virtuality.

Digitaal onderwijs in praktijkvaardigheden

Learning practical skills with technology

This community was created by the Digital Practice Skills Education (DOiP) working group of the Acceleration Plan. The working group was set up to share knowledge on digital practice skills education. Much of the knowledge is related to XR in education. Share your experience or chat with us. Read more about Practice skills learning with technology.

Vraagbaak online onderwijs

Online Education Questionnaire

The community Vraagbaak Online Onderwijs is for anyone who wants to share knowledge and experience about digital education innovation. Practice is at the heart of this community. Read the articles of the Online Education Question Board

Pilot

Man met VR-bril

iotroam: safe and traceable connection of VR glasses

There is a huge growth in devices that need network connectivity to function. Think VR glasses, robots, digi-or smartboards, 3D printers, medical devices, AEDs, smartwatches and many more. With iotroam, you can connect IoT devices to your own institution's network in a secure and traceable way.

Read more about iotroam