Transmedia Learning Environments in Higher Education

Transmedia learning environments in higher education design coherent educational experiences that span multiple media—including video, interactive simulations, social platforms and virtual worlds—to engage learners in collaborative, narrative-driven inquiry. Rooted in constructivist and connectivist theories, these environments leverage multimodal narrative integration to foster digital literacies, learner agency and authentic problem-solving. By allowing students to contribute content, remix storylines and assume diverse roles, transmedia approaches bridge formal and informal learning contexts and support personalised pathways. They have been applied across disciplines—from virtual history seminars to science investigations and language arts projects—demonstrating potential to increase motivation, deepen reflection and foster intercultural understanding. Challenges include ensuring equitable access to resources, aligning assessment with non-linear learning trajectories and equipping instructors with design expertise for complex narrative ecosystems.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Transmedia Learning Environments in Higher Education publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in transmedia learning environments in higher education across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Transmedia learning environment: An instructional setting that weaves educational content across multiple media platforms, enabling learners to navigate and contribute to a unified narrative.

Multimodal narrative integration: The coordination of diverse media formats—such as text, video, audio and interactive simulation—to convey coherent instructional storylines.

Expansive learning theory: A framework positing that knowledge is developed through collective inquiry and reflection on contradictions within activity systems.

Epistemic network analysis: A methodological approach that models the co-occurrence of cognitive constructs in discourse to map patterns of collaborative learning.

Feminist-pragmatist perspective: A curriculum approach grounded in feminist pedagogy that emphasises practical problem-solving, equity and critical reflection.

References

1. Aprendizaje expansivo en entornos digitales: un análisis de redes epistémicas con perspectiva de género. RIED Revista Iberoamericana de Educación a Distancia (2023).
2. Feminist trends in distance and hybrid higher education: a scoping review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education (2021).
3. Learning and teaching as communicative actions: Improving historical knowledge and cognition through Second Life avatar role play. Knowledge Management & E-Learning An International Journal (2012).