Developing a Critical Inquiry Mindset for Extended Reality

Abstract

Are you interested in examining the emerging field of Extended Reality (XR)? By exploring XR, develop a critical inquiry mindset and an awareness of why critical inquiry is an essential skill for those who want to work in the XR ecosystem. You will develop a framework of important critically reflective questions as you become familiar with the ethical issues that XR ecosystems and associated technologies create.

This course focuses on the importance of the inclusion of critical inquiry in the design and development of Extended Reality (XR) experiences. Learners will be introduced to the XR ecosystem and the variety of technologies that are part of this ecosystem. In this course, learners will identify the challenges that new mediums like XR raise and why an ethical framework is important. In particular, learners will identify issues associated with privacy, security, bias, accessibility, and the “do no harm” code often overlooked during the design and development of XR ecosystems. To ensure the realization of the potential benefits of these technologies, learners will examine how to identify and leverage a critical inquiry mindset to question more deeply the social, political, and moral issues emerging from these new technologies.

By the end of this course, learners will be able to begin to identify ethical issues associated with XR and to formulate appropriate questions that reflect a critical inquiry mindset necessary for the creation and design of XR experiences. To achieve the critical performance outcome, students will have demonstrated the ability to: 1. Identify the ethical issues created by the new medium of XR--2. Develop a novice level organized and systematic process of critical inquiry while exploring current trends and ethical concerns related to XR--3. Recognize and become an advocate for the need for a critical inquiry mindset and ethical guidelines for the XR creator--4. Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and potential risks of XR.