When considering how Mixed Reality enhances learning, interactive visual training likely comes to mind. You might picture students fully immersed in an environment where lessons are brought to life. You could envision students interacting with a digital twin hologram of the human body or engaging in various simulations. One wouldn’t immediately associate Mixed Reality with reading regular text from a book or piece of paper. The question arises: Why would such advanced technology be employed to aid reading?

East Carolina University is presently engaged in a proof-of-concept project using Microsoft’s Mixed Reality headset, the HoloLens, to assist 5th-grade students struggling with reading. Researchers identified a common issue wherein children faced challenges when reading aloud; they encountered difficulties with the text. This predicament often led to the development of reading-related anxiety, compounding overall anxiety levels. Consequently, student motivation and the desire to improve suffered, resulting in diminished reading proficiency. Essentially, when a young student’s reading skills lag, conventional teaching methods often fail to bridge the gap.

This project seeks to aid students grappling with low reading proficiency and struggling to meet grade-level expectations. The approach involves students donning the HoloLens headset and reading as they typically would. Equipped with a potent eye-tracking camera, the HoloLens detects instances when a student encounters stumbling blocks—words or phrases they find challenging. In response, animations and audio recordings elucidate the meaning and context of the problematic word or phrase. For instance, if a student encounters “photosynthesis” without understanding its definition, an animation will vividly demonstrate the process. Initially focused on science, aptly termed “read-to-learn science,” this method can extend to various subjects, including history and English.

Why opt for Mixed Reality over conventional reading methods? Project researchers discovered that, despite various audio-visual technologies, students tend to read more effectively from paper than screens. The HoloLens and Mixed Reality seamlessly integrate into the reading process, enhancing the experience without disrupting the natural flow. As previously mentioned, the HoloLens serves as an aid while preserving an individualized learning experience. This fosters a self-paced learning environment, granting students the assurance that they can progress without judgment. The project has yielded favorable results, notably reduced anxiety levels and improved reading skills.