Mixed Reality & Design Thinking

In a world where innovation is paramount, design thinking is a core skill for students, particularly in secondary and tertiary design studies. Mixed Reality (MR) – a blend of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) – is playing a pivotal role in enhancing these learning experiences. Workshops focused on smart transports, collaborative design principles, and the Australian curriculum’s 21st-century skills have demonstrated how MR bridges the gap between theoretical design and practical, immersive learning.

Context
High school students often struggle to grasp abstract concepts in design studies, such as user-centered design, prototyping, and complex problem-solving, without seeing tangible applications. Traditional methods may limit the capacity for experimentation and collaboration, crucial elements in design thinking. To fully embrace 21st-century skills—like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration—students need tools that bring their designs to life in a way that is engaging and experiential.

The Breakthrough...
The introduction of Mixed Reality in our workshops transformed how students engaged with design thinking concepts. By using MR technology, students could virtually explore smart transport systems, experiment with design modifications in real time, and collaborate with peers, all within an immersive environment.

Key Highlights

• Smart Transports: Students explored the future of transportation, creating and testing models of sustainable and smart vehicles. With MR, they could simulate environments and see their transport designs in action—whether in busy urban landscapes or challenging rural terrains. This hands-on approach made learning about sustainability, engineering, and design deeply engaging.
• Collaborative Design Principles: Design is inherently collaborative, and Mixed Reality facilitated teamwork in ways that traditional tools could not. Students used MR to co-create designs in a shared virtual space, where they could modify, critique, and improve each other’s ideas in real time. This interactive platform encouraged peer learning and enhanced communication skills, key elements of the Australian curriculum’s focus on collaboration and innovation.
• 21st-Century Skills: The workshops directly aligned with the Australian curriculum, fostering skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy. Mixed Reality enabled students to take a more hands-on, inquiry-based approach to learning, making abstract concepts concrete and building their confidence in applying design thinking to real-world problems.

The Results!
Students reported a marked increase in their understanding of both design theory and practice. The ability to visualise and manipulate their designs in a virtual environment accelerated their learning curve. Additionally, MR fostered a greater sense of collaboration and creativity, as students could work together seamlessly in shared virtual spaces. Teachers observed increased engagement and higher-quality design outputs compared to traditional project-based methods.

A thought...
Mixed Reality is not just a tool but a crucial component for fostering design thinking in high school design studies. By integrating MR into the curriculum, schools can better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. These inspiring, fun, engaging and cutting-edge workshops offers students an opportunity to immerse themselves in their projects, learn critical skills, and collaborate in ways that mirror real-world professional environments.

This case study exemplifies how innovative technologies like Mixed Reality can elevate the learning experience and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

(Student Outcomes Coming Soon...)

If you would like to inspire your students and set them up for future success, reach out to our team.