This timely volume highlights the novel ways in which cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technology is being used in STEM education. Today, there are many exciting advances occurring in Immersive Learning Environments (ILEs) and innovative applications in STEM education. Recent breakthroughs in technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) as well as Cross Reality (XR) that leverages VR, AR, and MR are finally making it feasible for educators in STEM to adopt ILEs in their classrooms in a scalable manner. Edited by experienced XR researchers in STEM education, Wang, Ryoo, and Winkelmann, the book focuses on the use of Immersive Learning Environments (ILEs) for creating experiences that excite, inspire, and engage learners in STEM disciplines. Chapters include research studies and practical applications addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting technologies. This book covers the entire spectrum of immersive platform types and ILEs such as desktop, mobile, wearable, and room-based. It helps advance research and practice in the novel adoption of ILE technologies into STEM education from technical, theoretical/conceptual, empirical, and/or methodological perspectives. Cross Reality (XR) and Immersive Learning Environments (ILE) in Education will be a key resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of education, STEM education, instructional design and technology, educational research, educational technology, research methods, information and communications technology, and curriculum and instruction. This book was originally published as a special issue of Interactive Learning Environments.

As explored in this open access book, higher education in STEM fields is influenced by many factors, including education research, government and school policies, financial considerations, technology limitations, and acceptance of innovations by faculty and students. In 2018, Drs. Ryoo and Winkelmann explored the opportunities, challenges, and future research initiatives of innovative learning environments (ILEs) in higher education STEM disciplines in their pioneering project: eXploring the Future of Innovative Learning Environments (X-FILEs). Workshop participants evaluated four main ILE categories: personalized and adaptive learning, multimodal learning formats, cross/extended reality (XR), and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). This open access book gathers the perspectives expressed during the X-FILEs workshop and its follow-up activities. It is designed to help inform education policy makers, researchers, developers, and practitioners about the adoption and implementation of ILEs in higher education.