Citation: Almufarreh, A. Exploring the Potential of Mixed Reality in Enhancing Student Learning Experience and Academic Performance: An Empirical Study. Systems 2023, 11, 292. https:// doi.org/10.3390/systems11060292 Academic Editor: Nirit Yuviler-Gavish Received: 30 April 2023 Revised: 21 May 2023 Accepted: 26 May 2023 Published: 6 June 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). systems Article Exploring the Potential of Mixed Reality in Enhancing Student Learning Experience and Academic Performance: An Empirical Study Ahmad Almufarreh Deanship of E-learning and Information Technology, Jazan University, Alburj Campus, Gizan 82812, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; almufarreh@jazanu.edu.sa Abstract: In recent years, mixed reality (MR) technology has emerged as a promising tool in the field of education, offering immersive and interactive learning experiences for students. However, there is a need to comprehensively understand the impact of MR technology on students’ academic performance. This research aims to examine the effect of mixed reality technology in the educa- tional setting and understand its role in enhancing the student’s academic performance through the student’s novel learning experiences and satisfaction with the learning environment. The present research has employed a quantitative research design to undertake the research process. The survey questionnaire based upon the five-point Likert scale was used as the data collection instrument. There were 308 respondents studying at various educational institutes in Saudi Arabia, all of whom were using mixed reality as part of their educational delivery. The findings of the present research have indicated that the application of mixed reality by creating experiential learning, interactivity and enjoyment can significantly enhance the student’s novel experience, which can directly enhance stu- dents’ satisfaction with learning objects and the learning environment, as well as indirectly enhancing the student’s academic performance. The research offers various kinds of theoretical implications and policy implications to researchers and policymakers. Keywords: mixed reality; learning experience; satisfaction; academic performance 1. Introduction Education has always been conceived as being formed of physical classroom activities in which students and teachers meet face to face [1]. Educational content delivered by the teachers is then processed by the students [2]. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic other means of delivering education have become much more widespread [3], and educational institutes worldwide have shifted towards online or remote learning modes using current digital technologies [4]. The video conferencing software packages such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet have become tools for educational institutes to shift their operation to online media [5]. Although video conferencing software provided an immediate solution for educational institutions to continue their operations [6], various problems have been reported [7]. One of the critical problems which has been widely reported in the academic literature is related to students’ fatigue, lack of interactivity and motivation, and negative students’ academic performance [8]. It is argued that students educated during the pandemic will suffer huge academic losses due to participating in online classes, as such classes do not provide learning experiences using sensory organs equivalent to physical classes [9]. Thus, online classes using current digital technologies have led to students developing fatigue and falling behind in their learning [10]. However, even though current digital technologies support online classes resulting in a loss in students’ academic performance, it is hard to conclude that the digitalization of education has failed and should not be pursued at all [11]. It is hypothesized that new emerging digital technologies will provide an enhanced sensory experience to students in online Systems 2023, 11, 292. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems11060292 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/systems