EON-XR: Enhancing science education and ITaP through immersive learning

EON-XR is an advanced immersive technology platform that integrates augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR) to create dynamic, interactive learning experiences. The EON-XR Integration in Secondary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) project aims to tackle two critical priorities in teacher education: enhancing subject-specific knowledge and improving the practical application of theoretical concepts in real classroom settings. As an educator, I have personally encountered the challenge of teaching complex scientific concepts, particularly those requiring hands-on experiments and practical application. We are excited to share that our EON-XR bid has successfully passed the first stage at the University of East London (UEL). If we proceed to the next stage, EON-XR will be fully integrated into the PGCE Science to develop subject knowledge. The platform offers future educators the opportunity to engage with and model complex scientific concepts that are often difficult to visualise or replicate in traditional classroom settings. In the Secondary ITE programmes, it will serve as a digital scaffold for Intensive Teaching and Practice (ITaP), providing virtual environments where trainees can practice techniques like questioning, classroom routines, and peer dialogue. This will allow them to experiment with various teaching strategies before applying them in real-world placements. This session will provide insights from the initial stages of the project and showcase how immersive learning technologies like EON-XR can impact science education and prepare teachers for the classroom. This session will focus on how EON-XR, an immersive AR/VR platform, is transforming science education by enabling future teachers to visualise and interact with complex scientific phenomena. Participants will learn how EON-XR has been integrated into the PGCE Science programme at UEL to support trainees in strengthening their subject knowledge, enhancing digital teaching strategies, and refining their pedagogical skills. The session is designed for science educators, teacher trainers, and educational technologists interested in using innovative AR/VR tools to enhance subject-specific knowledge development and the application of theory to practice. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to incorporate immersive technologies into their curricula to improve student engagement and teaching effectiveness. We will demonstrate how EON-XR is used to develop subject knowledge and link theory with teaching practice, and examine how EON-XR can transform science education and teacher training., addressing questions on integrating EON-XR into teacher training and classroom practice. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to: •Enhance Engagement and Knowledge: Understand how EON-XR can improve engagement and deepen subject knowledge while linking theory with practical teaching. •Incorporate AR/VR: Gain insights into how to incorporate AR/VR technologies into their teaching practices. •Improve Trainee Readiness: Recognise the impact of immersive technologies on trainee confidence and readiness to deliver science lessons effectively.