Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.

This study explored online users' sentiments about the use and application of Extended Reality (XR) in higher education. X social media platform was used as the main source for assessing users' perceptions of XR in teaching and learning. A topic modelling approach was used to identify and...

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Main Authors: Hosam Al-Samarraie, Samer Muthana Sarsam, Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani, Hanan Aldowah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327311
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author Hosam Al-Samarraie
Samer Muthana Sarsam
Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani
Hanan Aldowah
author_facet Hosam Al-Samarraie
Samer Muthana Sarsam
Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani
Hanan Aldowah
author_sort Hosam Al-Samarraie
collection DOAJ
description This study explored online users' sentiments about the use and application of Extended Reality (XR) in higher education. X social media platform was used as the main source for assessing users' perceptions of XR in teaching and learning. A topic modelling approach was used to identify and compare main themes and topics in relation to the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)/Mixed Reality (MR). The sentiment and polarity of each topic were assessed and compared across these technologies. The results revealed three themes for VR (self-directed learning, creativity-promoting environments, and challenges and concerns) and three themes for AR/MR (guided and oriented learning experience, playful and flexible learning experience, and challenges and concerns). The results also demonstrated significant differences in users' sentiments, with VR use in higher education achieving higher positivity, anticipation, trust, and joy compared to AR/MR. Findings from this study are unique in the sense that they offer a comparative perspective on XR inclusion in university teaching and learning. The findings can direct policy makers in higher education about the suitability and feasibility of using certain XR technologies in facilitating their digital transformation goals.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-d3c2b1c0d51c474b830fc87cfb1f3d392025-08-20T03:27:28ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01207e032731110.1371/journal.pone.0327311Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.Hosam Al-SamarraieSamer Muthana SarsamAhmed Ibrahim AlzahraniHanan AldowahThis study explored online users' sentiments about the use and application of Extended Reality (XR) in higher education. X social media platform was used as the main source for assessing users' perceptions of XR in teaching and learning. A topic modelling approach was used to identify and compare main themes and topics in relation to the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)/Mixed Reality (MR). The sentiment and polarity of each topic were assessed and compared across these technologies. The results revealed three themes for VR (self-directed learning, creativity-promoting environments, and challenges and concerns) and three themes for AR/MR (guided and oriented learning experience, playful and flexible learning experience, and challenges and concerns). The results also demonstrated significant differences in users' sentiments, with VR use in higher education achieving higher positivity, anticipation, trust, and joy compared to AR/MR. Findings from this study are unique in the sense that they offer a comparative perspective on XR inclusion in university teaching and learning. The findings can direct policy makers in higher education about the suitability and feasibility of using certain XR technologies in facilitating their digital transformation goals.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327311
spellingShingle Hosam Al-Samarraie
Samer Muthana Sarsam
Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani
Hanan Aldowah
Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.
PLoS ONE
title Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.
title_full Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.
title_fullStr Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.
title_full_unstemmed Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.
title_short Exploring sentiments and topics in Extended Reality learning environments: A comparative study.
title_sort exploring sentiments and topics in extended reality learning environments a comparative study
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327311
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AT ahmedibrahimalzahrani exploringsentimentsandtopicsinextendedrealitylearningenvironmentsacomparativestudy
AT hananaldowah exploringsentimentsandtopicsinextendedrealitylearningenvironmentsacomparativestudy