World Immersive Learning Labs

A community of researchers, developers, practitioners, and institutions looking to best design and implement immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality to power learning.

2026 Announced

March (Dates not set) in Los Banos, Philippines
Hosted at the University of The Philippines Open University

Topics of Interest (but not limited to): 

Designing, Building, and Running Immersive Learning Laboratories
Immersive Learning Theories and Pedagogies
Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality in Education
Gamification and Game-based Learning Environments
Immersive Technologies in Professional Training
Storytelling and Narrative Design in Immersive Learning
Interaction and Engagement in Virtual Learning Environments
Ethical Considerations in Immersive Learning
Learning Analytics and Assessment Methods Future Trends in Immersive Learning Technologies
Case Studies and Best Practices 

Organizing Partners

Future Hub
Future Hub Immersive Lab at the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
Learn More >
MAVR
Mixed, Augmented and Virtual Realities in Learning Research Group
Learn More >
University of the Philippines Open University
University of the Philippines Open University
Learn More >

Contributing Partners

Near Life
Create immersive knowledge-sharing experiences with interactive video and VR
Learn More >
Together Learning
Together Learning Community
Learn More >
International Journal in Information Technology in Governance, Education and Business
International Journal in Information Technology in Governance, Education and Business
Learn More >
Reality Labo
Reality Labo augmented reality learning platform
Learn More >
My Hometown Project
Cultural Exchange with Virtual Travel
Learn More >

Featured Labs

Future Hub
Future Hub at KUFS (Kyoto, Japan)
Immersive learning is an innovative approach to education that leverages advanced technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to create highly interactive and engaging learning experiences.
Future Hub
IOP UPOU
Immersive Open Pedagogies Program at UPOU
The IOP Program was established by the university to systematically enhance the impact of immersive technologies and open pedagogies through organized activities and partnerships.
IOP Website
ISTAR
ISTAR Labs, led by Rob Figueroa, encompasses two virtual labs (in the metaverse and on Discord) and two physical labs (in Diliman and Los Baños), advancing immersive spatial technologies and realities.
ISTAR LAB
Running a Lab?

Add your lab to our database of learning labs around the world willing to share knowledge, expertise, and resources.

Register your Lab
World Learning Labs

Organizing Team

Eric Hawkinson
Eric Hawkinson
Chair
Bobby Figueroa
Roberto Figueroa
Co-Chair
Manabu Nakahara
Manabu Nakahara
Technology
Dave Dolan
Dave
Dolan
Partnerships
Julius Garcia
Julius
Garcia
Publications
Jay Klaphake
Jay Klaphake
MC / Host

Live on YouTube 2025

2025 Video Archive
Day 2 - Live - April 14th - Starts 10:45am Japan Standard Time

Join us for Sessions 2 and 3 of the World Immersive Learning Labs Symposium 2025, where global pioneers in immersive technology and education gather to share cutting-edge work in virtual reality, AI, language learning, robotics, gamification, and metaverse-based education. Hosted in Kyoto, this segment features expert presentations and short research talks from educators, technologists, and innovators from around the world.

Day 3 - Live - April 15th - Starts 10:00am Japan Standard Time

Day 3 of the World Immersive Learning Labs Symposium features a powerful series of short talks that dive into emerging research, practical applications, and future visions for immersive and extended reality in education. These presentations highlight work in nursing simulation, sustainable farming with digital twins, immersive UX, 5G infrastructure for metaverse learning, and more. Join us live from Kyoto to hear from educators, developers, and thought leaders shaping tomorrow's classrooms in virtual spaces.

2025 THEME SONG

Keynote Address 2024

Eric Hawkinson

Featured Sessions 2024

Eric Hawkinson

Chair's Talk: The Confluence of AR and AI in Education: A Journey Through the Automation Dilemma

Neil Cowie & Mehrasa Alizadeh

Using FRAME to create virtual reality-based language learning lessons

Myrna R. Batino, Margaret S. Aquino, & Reynaldo P Ramos

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Adoption in Education: Exploring the Antecedents based on UTAUT2 Model

Imants Latkovskis

Interdisciplinary Virtual Reality Teaching Lab: A Case Study from the University of Glasgow

Gabriel Kaprielian

Postcards from the Future: Visualizing Climate Change Adaptation Utilizing Augmented and Mixed-Reality as a Platform for Transdisciplinary Collaboration, Public Engagement, and Classroom Education

Fabiano Bruno de Almeida

Learning Algebra via self-study using　Mixed Reality and the Microsoft HoloLens 2 Headset

Selected Papers Published in 2023

  • The Virtual Museum Rubric: A Preliminary Report by Kojiro Yano, Masamichi Nishimura, Eri Yokoyama
  • Exploring Inconvenient Silence: A Comparative Analysis of Setting up a Physical and Virtual Exhibition by Shari Eunice T. San Pablo
  • IoT Security Solutions for Students’ Laboratory with RFID-based Attendance Authentication by Rose Mary A. Velasco
  • Designing Immersive Labs and Programs for Higher Education by Eric Hawkinson

Symposium 2023

Highlights from 2023
Session 1

Live in person presentations in Kyoto, Japan

Session 2

Livestream of online presentations

Join us in 2026 also?

March 24-26, 2026 (TENTATIVE) in Los Baños, Philippines
Hosted at the UP Open University

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