Mission

The XR Collaborative brings together instructors, students, researchers, and staff—from the curious to the expert—to increase experiential learning opportunities for students and generate strategic direction for XR at the University of Arizona.

At the University of Arizona, numerous faculty are innovating to include XR content in their courses. However, a lack of centralized funding and comprehensive university support for immersive learning makes implementing XR expensive, inefficient, and unsustainable. The XR Collaborative addresses these challenges by facilitating collective use of distributive resources and communication among key players across campus.

Approach

We've discovered that equipment isn't what people need most. Instead, the notion of a consortium or collaborative has proven to be key. Our sustainable organizational model continuously reveals needs and efforts while building understanding, facilitating implementation of projects, and generating ideas.

Our monthly meetings follow a consistent format designed to provoke productive conversation:

• New member introductions and experience sharing
• Five-minute networking sessions to connect with someone new
• Community resource board for posting needs and available support
• Guest speaker presentations from campus XR innovators
• Open floor for announcements, updates, and peer advice

Growth

Since our first meeting in December 2023 with 22 invitees, our membership has grown to 67 members by December 2024—more than tripling in one year. Our members now come from 11 of the 17 colleges on campus, representing diverse disciplines and applications of XR technology.

Impact

Through the XR Collaborative, members have:

• Connected with collaborators to bring project visions to life
• Shared equipment and technical expertise across departments
• Expanded access to immersive technologies for students and faculty
• Developed new courses and learning experiences using XR
• Secured funding and support for innovative projects

Partners

The XR Collaborative was established through a partnership between CATalyst Studios (UA Libraries), University Center for Assessment, Technology, and Teaching (UCATT), and the former Office of Distance and Continuing Education (OCDE). This project is made possible by a Provost Investment Fund grant from the University of Arizona, used to advance strategic initiatives including expanded student experiential learning and enhancing research capacity.

Looking Ahead

We continue to work toward:

• Launching the Immersive Pedagogy Fellowship for instructors
• Developing systems for XR technology management and distribution
• Hosting XR summits and technology showcases
• Providing recommendations to senior leadership for future XR development
• Moving the University of Arizona from experimental to tactical phase of XR adoption

Our experience indicates that collaborative action by the people who work in XR is a pragmatic solution for a large university with many different types of XR needs, initiatives, and ideas—a model that is effective, evidence-based, low cost, and sustainable.