The potential of extended reality in welding training in the UAE – opportunities and challenges

This thesis examined the impact of using extended reality (XR) technologies in the training of welding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study aimed to identify the opportunities and challenges associated with the application of XR technologies in welding training. The research provides a critical insight into how welding training in the UAE can be conducted by identifying both the limitations and benefits of traditional and technology-based welding training methods. The study was designed to answer the following research questions: research question one: what are the challenges and opportunities of implementing extended realities technologies in a vocational education setting in the UAE?, research question two: how does the students learning experience change when implementing extended realities technology in vocational education in the UAE?, research question three: what is the instructor / trainers experience of implementing extended realities technology in vocational education in UAE? The research methodology utilized a qualitative approach that adopted an action research strategy, which involved 18 participants in the main study, 12 apprentices and 6 instructors. The research method used two inductive strategies, semi-structured interviews for the instructors and a series of focus groups for the apprentices, which were embedded into the action research methodology. The findings of the study showed that a hybrid training approach where the learner was trained on using traditional welding equipment together with the use of XR welding training methodology could potentially improve the welding training experience. However, while the XR welding simulators can benefit and enhance welding training, this study contends that this technology cannot completely replace traditional welding training when teaching apprentices The research concludes that the integration of XR technology along with the traditional welding equipment to train apprentices to weld in the UAE can contribute to the improvement of the quality of welding education, make the training process more efficient, improved the learner’s experience and attitude to engage in attaining the necessary skills, reduced resource wastage, while providing more time for both the apprentices and the instructors which can enhance the overall learning acquisition in the UAE., The study however has its limitations such as the number of participants in the study, which although cannot prove that the outcomes of the research can be effectively applied beyond this study's technical college, the findings have provided a new and unique insight into how technology and traditional methods can be effectively use.