Immersed in learning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reveal the preliminary results of the IRMOS Project – an EC project to “extended geo‐learning”, delivered “in‐class”, “in‐house”, “in campus and in building” on an urban, suburban and global GPS basis. Design/methodology/approach – The IRMOS Project research is being carried out by 13 European organisations. The basic premise behind their collaborative efforts is that today's service orientated infrastructures (SOIs) lack real‐time capabilities. IRMOS aims to design, develop and validate an SOI using interactive real‐time applications – enabling time‐constrained operation and dynamic service control and adaptation as well as their efficient integration into the infrastructure. Findings – Using the IRMOS Project to blend open source learning platforms with mobile learning technologies, can produce a real time “extended” location‐based learning experience to learners active both in real and virtual learning worlds. This can make available both context and location sensitive learning experiences. In addition, this can personalise learning to a degree previously unknown except in one‐to‐one tuition. Practical implications – The results of the IRMOS Project should change the way that: educators develop learning materials and teach; learners interact with technology‐delivered learning materials; films – especially special effects – are made; and people interact via virtual worlds. Originality/value – This paper outlines the preliminary results of groundbreaking research, which allies the real and virtual worlds to enhance learning experiences. This has value for all students – of any age – anywhere.