Student Attitude Toward Virtual Learning in Second Life: A Flow Theory Approach

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) virtual world environment will gain more attention and become more pervasive as a new pedagogical tool in education curriculum and business training. The purpose of this study is to investigate flow theory in understanding the impacts of virtual experiences of Second Life on students' attitudes toward virtual learning. The undergraduate college students at a university in the Southeast region of the United States were chosen as participants, and data were collected in April 2009, entailing 42 usable surveys. This study demonstrated that flow experiences in 3D virtual worlds had a significant and positive impact on students' attitudes toward e-learning. This study found that the quality of engaging and pleasant experiences is influenced by three factors: the skills available to tackle challenging tasks, the perception of interactivity in the virtual learning experience, and the degree of presence sensation perceived by students. This study also validated the notion that the factors associated with achievement of flow experience in the Second Life virtual environment can have direct and indirect influence on a learner's attitude toward online learning through the mediation of flow.