Immersive Digital Learning Experience Design for Extended Reality Community of Practice to Enhance Educational Digital Game Design Skills

Abstract

This study investigates the creation of immersive digital learning experiences within an Extended Reality Community of Practice (XR-CoP) to improve educational digital game design skills. Employing a one-group quasi-experimental design, the study integrated innovative technology and innovative learning experiences in digital education to develop and refine an XR-supported learning ecosystem. A total of 25 master’s learners from digital technology programs took part in structured activities that focused on experiential learning, knowledge sharing, and iterative skill development. The evaluation results show that the proposed learning model was highly efficient (mean = 4.77, Standard Deviation (S.D.) = 0.30), indicating its suitability for implementation. Furthermore, the XR-CoP environment received the highest rating in key areas such as learner engagement (mean = 4.90, S.D. = 0.22) and content appropriateness (mean = 4.80, S.D. = 0.27). The assessment of learners’ digital game design skills revealed significant proficiency, especially in sound design (mean = 4.71, S.D. = 0.45) and interactive design (mean = 4.51, S.D. = 0.55). Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between active participation in the community and skill development (r = 0.947, p < 0.001), highlighting the importance of collaborative learning. These findings highlight the efficacy of XR-CoP in connecting theoretical knowledge with practical applications. The model promotes the development of essential skills like storytelling, instructional design, and user-centered game development. This study helps to advance immersive learning frameworks and provides practical insights for educators and professionals looking to improve digital game design skills through community-based, technology-driven learning experiences.