Laboratory activities are central to undergraduate student learning in science and engineering. With advancements in computer technology, many laboratory activities have shifted from providing students experiments in a physical mode to providing them in a virtual mode. Further, physical and virtual modes can be combined to address a single topic,…

Background: Virtual laboratories are used to supplement or even replace physical laboratories in engineering education. Although these virtual laboratories allow students to learn foundational experimental skills, they do not provide the learners with the chance to develop higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). Computational thinking (CT) is an…

Role-playing using avatars has been demonstrated as effective, but it has not been compared to role-playing with a live actor. In this study, undergraduate psychology students (N=93) conducted a clinical interview in a role-play with an avatar or live actor. Mixed methods included a survey and written reflection. The study found no differences in…

This study provides the educational experience of an architectural design studio in a virtual environment. It aims to illuminate the complications of planning and implementing a VDS and find the balance between flexibility and structure in VDS design. Action research was used due to its ability to document the process and reflect on the methods…

In the field of teacher education, the traditional approach to teacher preparation is not enough to equip life science pre-service teachers with the practical skill sets and pedagogical insights they need to be effective teachers. Life science pre-service teachers often struggle to transition from theoretical coursework to the practical reality of…

Design thinking and virtual reality continue to infiltrate the K-12 landscape, with incredible promise for fostering deeper engagement with content. Design thinking in particular embodies maker education's beliefs in learning through building, but with the added caveat of solving real-world problems with the consideration of others' perspectives.…

This study based on the Hedonic Motivation System Adoption Model (HMSAM), the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM), and Task Technology Fit (TTF), explores the factors influencing users' continuance intention in gamified learning within metaversity. A total of 286 valid questionnaires were collected using random sampling. The data were analyzed…

The education metaverse (Edu-Metaverse), as a simulated extension of the real world, is an infinite virtual space where learners can build their relationships with others and create interactive content. However, preparing learners to engage fully with Edu-Metaverse remains challenging. As technologies on Edu-Metaverse are new to learners, there is…

Fostering English reading interest and engagement among young learners in non-native settings demands innovative strategies. Previous studies emphasized the role of teachers in enhancing reading interest, for example, through dialogic reading due to its interactive nature. However, this approach is challenging to implement on a large scale.…

Background: In multimedia learning environments, pedagogical agents have emerged as an innovative tool to enhance digital instruction, yet optimising their design for maximal learning effectiveness remains underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how specific design elements of pedagogical agents, namely appearance and voice…

This randomized controlled trial assessed the comparative effectiveness of a biochemistry education program delivered through an immersive virtual reality (iVR) experience and traditional video-based instruction. Undergraduate students enrolled in three nutrition courses from a large R1 American university participated (n = 95). Students were…

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students are typically taught content delivered didactically and closely aligned with the laboratory demonstration of concepts, which facilitates the development of experimental skills. Because of the volume of content delivered across multiple courses, student cognitive abilities can be…

Second language (L2) learning research suggests that virtual reality (VR) has the potential to enhance the development of language skills due to its immersive nature and its situated learning opportunities. This quantitative, between-subjects study compared the effectiveness of three learning conditions. University students (N = 63) studied…

Multisensory-rich VR experiences, which encompass visual, auditory, and haptic stimuli, have the potential to enhance engagement, motivation, and learning. However, extensive sensory stimuli could also compromise learning through sensory overload. In museum settings, visitors who are inundated with excessive stimuli such as unrelated background…

This paper considers how a curricular design that integrated computer programming and creative movement shaped students' engagement with computing. We draw on data from a camp for middle schoolers, focusing on an activity in which students used the programming environment NetLogo to re-represent their physical choreography. We analyze the extent…