Exploring the Usability of Phone-Based Virtual Reality in Management-Communication Training

Zielke, Marjorie; Zakhidov, Djakhangir; Prasad Shringarpure, Malavika; DeFries, Erik; Avila, Rudy; Keul, Jacob; Carpenter Turner, Dean; Hargrove, Stacy; Bateman, Sabrina; Young, Christopher

doi:10.1162/pres_a_00391

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although preliminary, this pilot study's results offer exciting perspectives to inform future extension initiatives using VR technologies. Even though the VR video series included in this study was solely on manure and mortality management, this educational innovation has shown its flexibility to demonstrate real-world experiences through electronic devices in other areas of agriculture and other disciplines [66][67][68]. The changes in the participants' awareness levels before and after watching the videos prove this technology's capacity and potential to deliver agricultural technical information.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual Reality Videos for Delivery of Extension Educational Materials on Manure and Mortality Management: A Pilot-Study

Gunawardana,

Wang,

Mahdaviarab

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study presents virtual reality (VR) videos as an effective technique for delivering extension educational materials on manure and mortality management. Virtual reality is a technology that can enable immersive distance learning. Using VR tours can enable the public to learn manure and mortality management technologies without in-person farm visits, thus saving traveling time and money and avoiding exposure to pathogens and noxious odors in farms. As the first part of this project, 360° VR tours were created on multiple aspects of manure management, including composting, anaerobic digestion, and preliminary wastewater treatment. These videos were presented to a diverse audience of agricultural producers, extension specialists, and researchers through in-person and online extension events and the Texas Manure YouTube channel. The effectiveness of videos was evaluated using surveys, which measured the audience's awareness of the topics before and after watching VR videos. Statistical analysis revealed that the increase in awareness after watching the videos was statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.0001. Statistical analysis also revealed that job classification and professional experience significantly impacted the change in awareness. Researchers, extension specialists/agents, and participants with less experience in manure and mortality management experienced a greater change in awareness than agricultural producers and participants with more experience. Interest and impression of the audience on the VR videos was also evaluated. According to survey data, the majority of the audience rated these videos as an effective technique for educating the public about manure and mortality management, found the VR videos interesting, were willing to learn more content through VR videos, and were likely to recommend them to their colleagues. A statistically significant correlation could be observed between the awareness change and the effectiveness rating given to the videos by the participant.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual Reality Videos for Delivery of Extension Educational Materials on Manure and Mortality Management: A Pilot-Study

Gunawardana,

Wang,

Mahdaviarab

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Using in situ research-based design to explore learning module effectiveness and usability in a virtual reality system for workforce training

Zielke,

Zakhidov,

DeFries

et al. 2024

Virtual Reality

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examines the implementation and effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) into employee communication training for Texas Department of Transportation employees. The study also explores the impact of iterative, in situ research-based design on VR system usability, and potential relationships between the usability and ergonomics of VR devices, and user receptiveness to VR content. For this work we adapt the definition of in situ to mean a learning activity that takes place in the location or environment where the participants will actually be trained. Following the pandemic, many office-based workers adopted hybrid-remote work formats (Yang, Kim, & Hong, 2023), necessitating updated approaches to employee training and instruction which VR may provide. Further, VR may offer opportunities for private role-play for employee communication practice, as well as an overall more high-fidelity learning opportunity. Findings indicate that VR is an effective and engaging solution for workforce and management communication training, and that hardware configurations influence overall employee enthusiasm for VR-based training.

show abstract

Exploring the Usability of Phone-Based Virtual Reality in Management-Communication Training

Cited by 2 publications

References 20 publications

Virtual Reality Videos for Delivery of Extension Educational Materials on Manure and Mortality Management: A Pilot-Study

Virtual Reality Videos for Delivery of Extension Educational Materials on Manure and Mortality Management: A Pilot-Study

Using in situ research-based design to explore learning module effectiveness and usability in a virtual reality system for workforce training

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About