A triangulated approach to fostering student engagement in art and design education: integrating Padlet, UFUTURE, and EON-XR

This study examines a multi-platform strategy to enhance student engagement in art and design education. Traditional teaching methods often struggle to promote dynamic collaboration and personalised creative expression in digital contexts. The research explores how to integrate multiple digital tools effectively to create a cohesive, engaging learning ecosystem. A qualitative case study involving 27 art and design students (Graduate Visual Research) analysed their interactions with Padlet for collaborative documentation, UFUTURE for structured course management and assessments, and EON-XR for immersive metaverse content creation. The findings show that integrating these platforms significantly increased student participation and motivation. Padlet facilitated robust peer feedback and idea-sharing, while UFUTURE provided an efficient framework for administrative tasks and progress tracking. Notably, EON-XR enabled students to transcend 2D work, enhancing spatial understanding and supporting innovative virtual exhibitions. The combined use of these platforms demonstrates that a strategically implemented digital toolkit can foster a more holistic and engaging learning environment than reliance on a single platform. The study concludes that this multi-platform model presents a valuable framework for educators aiming to modernise art and design pedagogy and improve student outcomes.