Exploring Extended Reality (XR) in Teaching AI: A Comparative Study of XR and Desktop Environments

Miguel A. Feijoo-Garcia, Yiqun Zhang, Yiyin Gu, Alejandra J. Magana, Bedrich Benes, Voicu Popescu

2025

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts are abstract and difficult to understand. This paper explores how immersive technologies, such as extended reality (XR), can offer interactive learning experiences that can significantly enhance the educational outcomes of teaching fundamental concepts in artificial intelligence. This comparative study analyzes the effectiveness of an XR environment for introducing Neural Networks and Handwritten Digit Recognition by comparing the engagement, user experience, and learning outcomes of students using XR headsets (Meta Quest 3) to those relying on a traditional desktop setup. Engagement, usability, and user satisfaction were measured using standardized metrics, including the System Usability Scale (SUS), Immersion Presence Questionnaire (IPQ), User Satisfaction Questionnaire (USQ), and Net Promoter Score (NPS), on a diverse group of 56 participants. The findings indicate that the participants in the XR group reported higher levels of engagement and immersion than those in the desktop setting. Furthermore, they reported higher levels of satisfaction. They were more likely to recommend the experience for educational reasons compared to the users of the Desktop group, suggesting that XR technology increases motivation and may thus improve learning. Nevertheless, XR users recognized restrictions like unease or lack of familiarity with immersive technologies. In addition, this study highlights how XR can help transform science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Feijoo-Garcia M., Zhang Y., Gu Y., Magana A., Benes B. and Popescu V. (2025). Exploring Extended Reality (XR) in Teaching AI: A Comparative Study of XR and Desktop Environments. In Proceedings of the 20th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications - Volume 1: HUCAPP; ISBN 978-989-758-728-3, SciTePress, pages 472-482. DOI: 10.5220/0013141000003912

in Bibtex Style

@conference{hucapp25,
author={Miguel Feijoo-Garcia and Yiqun Zhang and Yiyin Gu and Alejandra Magana and Bedrich Benes and Voicu Popescu},
title={Exploring Extended Reality (XR) in Teaching AI: A Comparative Study of XR and Desktop Environments},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 20th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications - Volume 1: HUCAPP},
year={2025},
pages={472-482},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013141000003912},
isbn={978-989-758-728-3},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 20th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications - Volume 1: HUCAPP
TI - Exploring Extended Reality (XR) in Teaching AI: A Comparative Study of XR and Desktop Environments
SN - 978-989-758-728-3
AU - Feijoo-Garcia M.
AU - Zhang Y.
AU - Gu Y.
AU - Magana A.
AU - Benes B.
AU - Popescu V.
PY - 2025
SP - 472
EP - 482
DO - 10.5220/0013141000003912
PB - SciTePress