Building Extended Reality Learning Communities in Universities: The CIRE-UNAH Case in Honduras

Abstract

One of the most notable trends in Higher Education in recent decades is the implementation of various technologies focused on improving and innovating teaching and learning processes. Among these, technologies that offer immersive experiences stand out, such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR), which together with others have consolidated the
concept of Extended Reality (XR). These technologies offer more meaningful experiences and enable the possibility of increasing student motivation for topics in different fields of knowledge. The National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) has been making sustained efforts in recent years to incorporate and promote cutting-edge educational innovations. That is why, since 2021,
UNAH has created the Extended Reality Innovation Center (CIRE-UNAH), a pioneering center in this field in Higher Education Institutions in the Central American region. The main goal of CIRE-UNAH is to enhance institutional capacities by bringing together teachers, researchers, and students who utilize XR technology to develop innovative products and services. Additionally, it aims to
improve the digital and didactic skills of university professors to enhance the quality of teaching practices and student learning outcomes. This work highlights the theoretical principles that have led to the creation of CIRE-UNAH, the outcomes achieved so far, and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified during the process.