Delivering curriculum using desktop-based virtual learning environment (VLE) technologies in a collaborative group setting has been shown to reduce the social skill limitations of students with learning disabilities. However, the lack of the immersiveness and effective generalization of acquiring knowledge and skills among students remains a critical challenge in the interactive tools used in current VLEs. In this paper, we present a networked social virtual reality learning environment (VRLE) system viz., vSocial that has been redesigned based on iterative user feedback and developed in order to leverage the latest advances in integration of smart devices such as VR headsets for virtual content delivery. We describe a comparative study to evaluate technology trade-offs in the development process of transitioning from a VLE to a VRLE, from both technological and user (e.g., student/instructor) perspectives. Lastly, we outline open issues in using VRLEs which include: system complexity, emotion recognition, cybersickness and system sustainability.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.