Immersive Tech: Blending STEM & Social-Emotional Learning

Can immersive technology transform education? The ImmersED project at Lehigh University is exploring this question by blending STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and social-emotional learning (SEL). This approach offers students vibrant and equitable learning environments where they can thrive.

The Shift Towards Immersive Learning

Researchers Alexa Sharkey, Shoaa Khan, Melissa Smith, Chloe Xu, Lia Sandilos, & Zilong Pan, have spearheaded a move away from traditional, lecture-based instruction. They are utilizing evolving technologies to create dynamic and innovative lessons designed to improve student outcomes. This shift necessitates teaching methods that effectively leverage technology to boost student engagement.

How SEL Strengthens STEM Education

Social-emotional competencies are proving to be vital in strengthening the scientific mindset. Self-awareness, for example, helps students connect personal observations with scientific questioning, allowing them to translate their curiosities and assumptions into testable hypotheses. Social awareness fosters the exchange of diverse perspectives, fueling innovation and enabling students to interpret data from multiple viewpoints.

By embedding relationship skills into the curriculum, educators can cultivate empathy and communication – essential qualities for collaborative research and problem-solving.

Introducing ImmersED and Immersive Learning Classrooms (ILCs)

A team of faculty and students within Lehigh University’s ImmersED Creative Inquiry Program researches the integration of SEL, academic content, and immersive technology to support learners. ImmersED designs STEM instructional modules specifically for immersive learning classrooms (ILCs).

Immersive learning utilizes advanced technologies like virtual reality and 3D simulations to overcome the limitations of traditional textbooks. In ILCs, instructional content is projected onto three of the four classroom walls, surrounding students with an interactive learning experience.

Benefits of the ILC Environment

The ILC approach is particularly effective in making complex STEM concepts accessible through hands-on exploration. ImmersED intentionally incorporates social-emotionally aligned activities, such as structured group problem-solving and guided reflection, to reduce behavioral challenges and promote emotional regulation and positive interactions.

For example, an ILC can virtually transport students to a local creek to experience the water cycle firsthand, something not easily achievable in a traditional classroom setting. This allows students to connect phenomena, like changes in nature, to changes within themselves, and practice understanding their own emotions.

Pilot Program Results

A pilot program with six elementary school students demonstrated that the ILC environment effectively fostered both scientific knowledge and social-emotional skill development. The instructor interviewed after the module highlighted the multisensory nature of the lesson as particularly effective in maintaining student focus and deepening their connection to the material.

The Future of Immersive Education

ImmersED aims to continue developing new instructional modules, transforming classrooms into accessible, exciting, and future-focused environments. This new frontier of learning fuses innovative technology with academic and social-emotional components, benefiting all students through engaging, multisensory experiences. These adaptable rooms allow educators to tailor instruction, ensuring learners can explore complex STEM topics while building essential social-emotional skills.