Augmenting Ancestral Narratives: The Role of AR/VR in Preserving and Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge in Australian Education
Abstract
This research investigates the pedagogical efficacy and ethical complexities of integrating Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) into the Australian educational landscape, specifically regarding the transmission of Indigenous 'ways of knowing, being, and doing.' While traditional Western curricula often reduce the concept of 'Country' to abstract information, this study explores how Extended Reality (XR) can facilitate an ontological shift toward relational and spatial learning. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the study evaluates student knowledge retention through a quasi-experimental intervention (n=120). It formulates ethical protocols via Participatory Action Research (PAR) involving Yarning Circles with Indigenous Elders. Quantitative results demonstrate a significant disparity in pedagogical outcomes, with VR-immersed students achieving 42% higher accuracy in identifying complex ecological interdependencies than traditional cohorts. This success is attributed to 'Embodied Cognition' and 'Spatial Pedagogy,' which provide a cognitive scaffold for relational retention. Qualitatively, the findings highlight 'Digital Colonialism' as a primary barrier, necessitating a move toward Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS). To address this, the study developed the 'Geofenced Sovereignty' protocol, ensuring that sacred digital assets remain tethered to their geographical origin. By centering the authoritative voice of Elders through a 'Digital Campfire' model, the research concludes that XR serves as a powerful conduit for Makarrata (Reconciliation) when governed by a community-led 'Sovereign Infrastructure.' Furthermore, the study establishes that these immersive simulations act as vital archives for intergenerational knowledge transfer, effectively bridging the digital divide while fostering profound cross-cultural empathy through multisensory narrative engagement. This paper provides a rigorous blueprint for utilizing the world's newest tools to ensure the survival of the world's oldest living culture in the 21st century.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.51817/jas.v7i1.442
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