ATU Brings XR to the Classroom with Regional Roadshow

At Eirmersive, we’re continually inspired by the leadership our members show in advancing immersive learning. Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has done just that with a recent Immersive Learning XR Roadshow, led by John Hough, Educational Technology Specialist in Immersive Learning.

Travelling across campuses in Galway, Sligo and Letterkenny, the roadshow introduced lecturers to the practical potential of extended reality (XR), creating hands-on opportunities to explore how these technologies can enhance teaching and address real classroom challenges.

Turning Curiosity into Application

The sessions immersed participants in a spectrum of technologies, from Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) to fully immersive Virtual Reality (VR). Educators engaged with platforms such as VirtualSpeech, Bodyswaps, ENGAGE and Thinglink, alongside immersive and volumetric video demonstrations.

What made the sessions stand out was the shift from exploration to application. As John reflected:

“It was great to see the creative juices flowing once people began to see the possibilities of these technologies.”

Across all locations, discussions quickly became energetic and forward-looking, with educators sharing ideas for integrating XR into their own teaching contexts.

A Glimpse of What’s Next

One particularly strong theme was the potential of shared mixed reality experiences, enabling learners in the same physical space to interact with digital content together. This collaborative dimension points to exciting new models for engagement in both education and training.

There is also clear anticipation for what comes next, especially as AI-enabled AR glasses begin to emerge, opening up further possibilities for immersive, context-aware learning.

Powered by Collaboration

The success of the roadshow reflects a strong culture of collaboration within ATU, supported by colleagues across academic, technical and industry partners. It’s a powerful example of how collective effort can accelerate innovation in immersive learning.

For Eirmersive, this initiative highlights the momentum building across our network, where members are not just exploring XR, but actively shaping its role in the future of education.

Photo Credit: John Hough