This book presents explorable XR environments—their rationale, concept, architectures as well as methods and tools for spatial-temporal composition based on domain knowledge, including geometrical, presentational, structural and behavioral elements. Explorable XR environments enable monitoring, analyzing, comprehending, examining and controlling users’ and objects’ behavior and features as well as users’ skills, experience, interests and preferences. The E-XR approach proposed in this book relies on two main pillars. The first is knowledge representation technologies, such as logic programming, description logics and the semantic web, which permit automated reasoning and queries. The second is imperative programming languages, which are a prevalent solution for building XR environments. Potential applications of E-XR are in a variety of domains, e.g., education, training, medicine, design, tourism, marketing, merchandising, engineering and entertainment. The book’s readers will understand the emerging domain of explorable XR environments with their possible applications. Special attention is given to an in-depth discussion of the field with taxonomy and classification of the available related solutions. Examples and design patterns of knowledge-based composition and exploration of XR behavior are provided, and an extensive evaluation and analysis of the proposed approach is included. This book helps researchers in XR systems, 3D modeling tools and game engines as well as lecturers and students who search for clearly presented information supported by use cases. For XR and game programmers as well as graphic designers, the book is a valuable source of information and examples in XR development. Professional software and web developers may find the book interesting as the proposed ideas are illustrated by rich examples demonstrating design patterns and guidelines in object-oriented, procedural and declarative programming.

Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Intelligent Human Systems Integration (IHSI 2023): Integrating People and Intelligent Systems, February 22–24, 2023, Venice, Italy

Learners are accessing and organizing information much differently than they did only a few years ago. Technology has changed the way students learn and educators teach. The updated Innovative Teaching Strategies in Nursing and Related Health Professions, Ninth Edition details the trends in teaching strategies and educational technology that promote effective learning for today’s students. The Ninth Edition has been updated to provide the most current information and strategies for online learning and incorporating technology across settings. Chapters on blended learning and study abroad programs help students to gain a more diverse and increased global perspective. Highlighting innovative teaching techniques and real-world illustrations of the educational strategies, this text goes beyond theory to offer practical application principles that educators can count on.

For the last decade, virtual reality has been utilized in diverse fields such as entertainment, medicine, and industry. Recently, virtual reality has been applied in educational settings in order to transform student learning and experiences through such methods as building prototypes using digital devices or exploring new cultures through immersive interactions. Teachers who can incorporate virtual reality into their classrooms can provide their students with more meaningful learning experiences and can witness higher engagement. Current and Prospective Applications of Virtual Reality in Higher Education is a cutting-edge academic research book that provides comprehensive research on the integration of virtual reality in education programs and establishes foundations for course design, program development, and institutional strategic planning. The book covers an overall understanding and approach to virtual reality in education, specific applications of using virtual reality in higher education, and prospects and issues of virtual reality in the future. Highlighting a wide range of topics such as gamification, teacher training, and virtual reality, this book is ideal for teachers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, academicians, program developers, administrators, educational software developers, policymakers, researchers, education professionals, and students.

This two-volume set LNCS 14218 and LNCS 14219 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the International Conference on Extended Reality, XR Salento 2023, held in Lecce, Italy, during September 6-9, 2023. The 60 full papers presented together with 11 short papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 97 submissions. They cover a wide range of many different research topics such as: eXtended reality; digital twin; artificial intelligence; user experience in eXtended reality; virtual reality for neurofeedback, biofeedback and emotion recognition; eXtended reality in education; eXtended reality and metaverse in cultural heritage; eXtended reality in health and medicine; and eXtended reality in industrial field.

This book is the first research monograph that explores a new research field and practical applications produced by the combined use of two of the most advanced and powerful technologies available in today’s world – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR). It is written by a team of 50 researchers and practitioners from 16 countries, which has enabled a thorough coverage of emerging or previously unexplored subject areas. The authors consider practical, theoretical, and cultural aspects of “AI-powered AR” and “AR-enriched AI”, and their usage in a large variety of areas, such as education, medicine, healthcare, dentistry, pharmacy, active lifestyle, smart services, fashion, retail, recommender systems, and several others. Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence: The Fusion of Advanced Technologies is essential reading not only for researchers, practitioners and technology developers, but also for students (both graduates and undergraduates) and anyone who is interested in building a comprehensive understanding of the emerging fields of “intelligent augmented environments” and “artificial intelligence presented by augmented reality”.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) provide flexibility in education and have become widely used for the promotion of multimedia learning. This use coincides with mobile devices becoming prevalent, VR devices becoming more affordable, and the creation of user-friendly software that allows the development of AR/VR applications by non-experts. However, because the integration of AR and VR into education is a fairly new practice that is only in its initial stage, these processes and outcomes need to be improved. Designing, Deploying, and Evaluating Virtual and Augmented Reality in Education is an essential research book that presents current practices and procedures from different technology-implementation stages (design, deployment, and evaluation) to help educators use AR/VR applications in their own teaching practices. The book provides comprehensive information on AR and VR applications in different educational settings from various perspectives including but not limited to mobile learning, formal/informal learning, and integration strategies with practical and/or theoretical implications. Barriers and challenges to their implementation that are currently faced by educators are also addressed. This book is ideal for academicians, instructors, curriculum designers, policymakers, instructional designers, researchers, education professionals, practitioners, and students.

Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2023), July 20–24, 2023, San Francisco, USA

Online learning has gained popularity as a preferred option for higher education institutions globally, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has created a need for educators and practitioners to understand the strategies and techniques required for designing and delivering effective online courses that can engage students and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge for success. The book Dynamic Curriculum Development and Design Strategies for Effective Online Learning in Higher Education offers a practical guide and insights into the latest trends and best practices for curriculum development and design in the context of online learning. Organized into three main sections, the book begins with an overview of the current landscape of online learning and the challenges and opportunities it presents for curriculum development. It then delves into the design and development of online courses, followed by the implementation and delivery of those courses. The book is relevant to both novice and experienced educators and practitioners who are involved in designing, developing, and delivering online courses in higher education. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the strategies and techniques required to design and deliver effective online courses, while examining the challenges and opportunities presented by online learning in higher education. As such, this book is an essential resource for anyone involved in online learning in higher education who seeks to develop and deliver dynamic and engaging courses that cater to the needs of online learners.

This open access book presents the proceedings of the International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT)’s 29th Annual International eTourism Conference, which assembles the latest research presented at the ENTER2022 conference, which will be held on January 11–14, 2022. The book provides an extensive overview of how information and communication technologies can be used to develop tourism and hospitality. It covers the latest research on various topics within the field, including augmented and virtual reality, website development, social media use, e-learning, big data, analytics, and recommendation systems. The readers will gain insights and ideas on how information and communication technologies can be used in tourism and hospitality. Academics working in the eTourism field, as well as students and practitioners, will find up-to-date information on the status of research.