Enhancing qualities of consciousness during online learning via multisensory interactions

Online-learning is a feasible alternative to the physical classroom during this current global COVID-19 pandemic. In this time, Information Technologies have allowed sharing experiences but has also highlighted some limitations compared to the traditional way of learning. Learning is strongly sustained by some qualities of consciousness such as flow (intended as the optimal state of absorption and engagement in activity) and sense of presence (feeling of exerting control, interacting with and getting immersed into real/virtual environments), together with the need for social interaction. During online learning, feelings of disconnection, social isolation, distractions, lack of control exert a detrimental effect on the ability to reach the state of flow, the feeling of presence, the feeling of social involvement. Since online environments could prevent the rising of these learning-supporting variables, this article aims at describing the role of flow, presence and social interactions during online sessions and characterizing multi sensory stimulations as a driver to cope with these issues. We argue that the use of augmented, mixed or virtual reality can support abovementioned domains of consciousness and thus counteract the detrimental effects of physical distance. Such support could be further increased by enhancing multisensory stimulation modalities within augmented and virtual environments.