Learning Affordances: Theoretical Considerations for Design of Immersive Virtual Reality in Training and Education

Abstract

Technological advances have led to a rapid increase in the implementation of virtual reality (VR) across multiple sectors of society. Further, we are seeing more researchers explore how the technology can be used to promote learning and training in a variety of domains. But there is a problematic gap between development of VR for training and education and learning theory to ensure its efficacy. We address this need by providing a theoretical lens through which to evaluate existing research in VR. We consider technology developments that have made VR more sophisticated and draw from research in the learning and cognitive sciences to evaluate their utility as learning affordances. With this, we examine existing research as a way to illustrate the practical value of theoretical evaluation. We conclude with a discussion how this theoretical framing can point the way for both better designed studies to accelerate learning and training as well as for more innovative adaptations for accelerating learning in immersive virtual reality.

Using Virtual Reality to Improve Learning Mindsets and Academic Performance in Post-Secondary Students

“…Beyond priming affordances of custom and personalized VR environments (Shin, 2017;McGowin et al, 2021), characters and avatars offer further advantages. Avatar embodiment techniques that offer participants the opportunity to inhabit custom personas of other races or cultures show great promise in reducing stereotypes, low self-perception, and negative academic performance associated with stereotype threats (Peck et al, 2013).…”

Lessons Learned to Effectively Teach and Evaluate Undergraduate Engineers in Work Design and Ergonomics Laboratory from a World Before, During, and After COVID-19

“…Yet, the study of Work Design and Ergonomics Laboratory indicated a difference between the hands-on in-person lab and remote lab. Hands-on labs provide students with realistic scenarios that could occur in the industry: debugging technological errors, teamwork communication, setting up physical equipment (McGowin et al, 2021). The paper debates that simulated labs achieve more professional skills and conceptual understanding.…”

“…However, the institution made computer labs available during the pandemic for ensuring student access to the internet, and the instructor provided recordings of the lab sessions. Although AR/VR systems allow the learner to interact with team members and do hands-on lab tasks virtually for human factors, those systems require expensive set-ups in cost, knowledge, time, and customization to teach the exact concept at hand (McGowin et al, 2021). As a result, the incorporation of AR/VR in the Work Design and Ergonomics Laboratory could not be completed in Fall 2020 quickly.…”