Title: Optimising the learning process with immersive virtual reality and non-immersive virtual reality in an educational environment

Authors: Vivian W.Y. Lee; Paula Hodgson; Chung-Shing Chan; Agnes Fong; Sonia W.L. Cheung

Addresses: School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong ' Centre for Learning Enhancement and Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong ' Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong ' Centre for Learning Enhancement and Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong ' Centre for Learning Enhancement and Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong

Abstract: Teachers in higher education have a growing interest in embedding virtual reality in learning and teaching. This means that students can have a virtual exploration or a simulated experience in a range of situations. They can have an immersive virtual reality (IVR) experience using their smartphones mounted with cardboard boxes. Alternatively, tablets and notebook computers can also provide a non-immersive virtual reality (nIVR) experience. Given that bandwidth can be limited in many teaching environments, educators can arrange the options for both IVR and nIVR to maximise the possibility of learning engagement. This paper reports on student experiences of two undergraduate courses, 'Pharmacology and Therapeutics' and 'Understanding Ecotourism', in which educators deployed this innovative pedagogy. Survey and focus group interviews with students were conducted after the VR classes. These showed that students appreciated the VR experience, which broadened their awareness and knowledge.

Keywords: immersive virtual reality; higher education; virtual simulation; virtual exploration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2020.103908

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2020 Vol.14 No.1, pp.21 - 35

Received: 09 Nov 2018
Accepted: 04 Mar 2019
Published online: 02 Dec 2019 *

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