Culturally Sustainable Learning Environments: AR/VR-Driven Communication Design for Post-Pandemic Education

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unparalleled and global disruption, as the educational and learning environment (asymmetrical spaces) of communities transitioned into the digital realm, to gain an insight into and a deeper understanding of systemic learning and teaching pedagogical practices that were methodologically inequitable, culturally dissonant, and gaps in pedagogical models that are largely accepted as traditional didactic practices.This study aims to explore and examine how the principles of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in communication design can embed experiences that promote culturally sustainable or culturally preserving educational experiences within a post-COVID context.Utilising a blended mixed-methodology, which is based on and drawn from principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR), the research engaged with 25 participants who were school-based or otherwise within the larger field of education in India.Quantitative observations and findings suggest a 68% increase in participant retention and memorisation of content with the culture-immersed parts of VR, when compared to other traditional platforms, whilst qualitative study participants suggest a 57% increase in efficiency regarding their ability to communicate across cultures in utilising the culturally relevant AR interfaces/apps that included culture.The research contends a new Culturally Responsive Communication Design (CRCD) Framework that is four-density and interrelated, which alludes to Identity (Affirmation) of being, Contextual Immersion (to culture), Narrative (Decolonization), and Access.A comprehensive literature review of global research evidence, along with associated case studies from India, reveals important findings that provide insight into the successful implementation of cultural sustainability.The successful outcomes of cultural sustainability processes stem from: (1) collaboration with the community to ensure that cultural sustainability is based on cultural relevance, (2) multisensory design while using appropriate cultural communication process, and (3) letting go of control of digital stories with respect to cultural insight, and (4) equitable access strategies to bridge the digital divide.The project provides several tips/tricks for educators and researchers to take cultural sustainability