Investigation of effects of virtual reality environments on learning performance of technical skills

• Published in: Computers in human behavior 2013-03, Vol.29 (2), p.433-438
• Main Authors: Jou, Min, Wang, Jingying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer simulation; Creativity; Imagination and creativity; Learning; Learning effectiveness; Modules; Skills; Students; Technical skills; Three dimensional; Virtual reality; Virtual reality learning environments
• ISSN: 0747-5632; 1873-7692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2012.04.020

► Technical skills in students are cultivated in the five dimensions. ► Virtual-reality-based taxonomy (VRTTO) has been developed to meet different goals. ► Students have reported finding VRTTO a significantly effective method. Practical training is what brings imagination and creativity to fruition, which relies significantly on the relevant technical skills needed. Thus, the current study has placed its emphasis on strengthening the learning of technical skills with emerging innovations in technology, while studying the effects of employing such technologies at the same time. As for the students who participated in the study, technical skills had been cultivated in the five dimensions of knowledge, comprehension, simulation, application, and creativity, in accordance to the set teaching objectives and the taxonomy for students learning outcome, while the virtual reality learning environment (VRLE) has also been developed to meet different goals as the various technical skills were being examined. In terms of the nature of technology, operation of machines, selection of process parameters, and process planning in technical skills, VRLE has also designed the six modules of “learning resource”, “digital content”, “collaborative learning”, “formative evaluation”, “simulation of manufacturing process”, and “practical exercise” in particular for providing students with assistance in the development on their technical skills on a specific, gradual basis. After assessing the technical skills that have been developed for the time period of one semester, the students have reported finding VRLE to be a significantly effective method when considering the three dimensions of “operation of machines”, “selection of process parameter”, and “process planning”, though not so much so when it came to the dimension of “nature of technology”. Among the six modules, “simulation of manufacturing process” and “practical exercise” were the two that were most preferred by students for the three dimensions considered.