Immersive Experience Research Articles

Enhancing educational experience through establishing a VR database in craniosynostosis: report from a single institute and systematic literature review.

Craniosynostosis is a type of skull deformity caused by premature ossification of cranial sutures in children. Given its variability and anatomical complexity, three-dimensional visualization is crucial for effective teaching and understanding. We developed a VR database with 3D models to depict these deformities and evaluated its impact on teaching efficiency, motivation, and memorability. We included all craniosynostosis cases with preoperative CT imaging treated at our institution from 2012 to 2022. Preoperative CT scans were imported into SpectoVR using a transfer function to visualize bony structures. Measurements, sub-segmentation, and anatomical teaching were performed in a fully immersive 3D VR experience using a headset. Teaching sessions were conducted in group settings where students and medical personnel explored and discussed the 3D models together, guided by a host. Participants' experiences were evaluated with a questionnaire assessing understanding, memorization, and motivation on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (outstanding). The questionnaire showed high satisfaction scores (mean 4.49 ± 0.25). Participants (n = 17) found the VR models comprehensible and navigable (mean 4.47 ± 0.62), with intuitive operation (mean 4.35 ± 0.79). Understanding pathology (mean 4.29 ± 0.77) and surgical procedures (mean 4.63 ± 0.5) was very satisfactory. The models improved anatomical visualization (mean 4.71 ± 0.47) and teaching effectiveness (mean 4.76 ± 0.56), with participants reporting enhanced comprehension and memorization, leading to an efficient learning process. Establishing a 3D VR database for teaching craniosynostosis shows advantages in understanding and memorization and increases motivation for the study process, thereby allowing for more efficient learning. Future applications in patient consent and teaching in other medical areas should be explored.

Unestablished Boundaries: The Capabilities of Immersive Technologies to Induce Empathy, Tell Stories, and Immerse

This article presents a critical viewpoint on the existing research to establish the boundaries of immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, exploring distinctions between sensorial and mental experiences and highlighting the influence of technological determinism in this scholarly domain. The analysis reveals a lack of established conceptual structures for categorizing distinct types of immersion, emphasizing that immersion is not universal and is not inherently technological. In particular, it highlights that, fundamentally, immersive technologies are not designed to immerse into narratives. As a result, this article suggests a dual cognitive framework of immersion to explain the nature of different immersive experiences. The article also critically addresses ethical concerns related to identity tourism and argues against the oversimplification of complex psychological processes, emphasizing the overreliance of the existing studies on visual or technological stimuli. To avoid this, the article suggests a way to avoid technological determinism in relevant conceptualizations. Overall, the article scrutinizes the assumptions associated with immersive technologies, offering insights into their capabilities to stimulate senses and vividly inform, contributing to a nuanced understanding of their effects and ethical implications.

A Systematic Review of the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Student Learning, Engagement, and Employability in Built Environment Education

This paper presents a systematic literature review of the impact of emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and gamification on student engagement, learning outcomes, and employability in Built Environment (BE) education. This review covers studies conducted between 2013 and 2023, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework. From an initial pool of 626 studies, 61 were identified and rigorously analyzed. The findings reveal that these technologies significantly enhance student engagement by providing immersive and interactive learning experiences that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Furthermore, their use is shown to improve learning outcomes by facilitating a deeper understanding of complex concepts and increasing student motivation. In terms of employability, the integration of digital tools into BE education equips students with the requisite skills that are increasingly demanded in the modern workplace. However, the study also identifies several challenges, including high costs, limited resources, and the need for extensive faculty training, which act as barriers to the effective implementation of these technologies. Despite these challenges, this review underscores the transformative potential of digital technologies in BE education. This study is significant as it synthesizes recent evidence to highlight the critical role of digital technologies in reshaping BE education. It offers practical recommendations for educators and policymakers to enhance teaching and learning practices. Providing pathways for integrating these technologies into BE curricula, this study aims to inform future research and pedagogical strategies, ultimately contributing to the development of a highly skilled and adaptable workforce.

Understanding the perspectives of a teacher educator and pre‐service teachers toward an immersive STEM experience

AbstractThis study explored the nuanced perspectives of a teacher educator and primary pre‐service teachers regarding their participation in an immersive STEM experience. Employing a descriptive case study methodology augmented by storytelling techniques, our study aimed to unravel the complex dynamics inherent in such educational initiatives. Through the lens of figured‐world analysis, we uncovered the tensions and dualities that permeate this immersive learning environment. Our findings revealed a complex interplay of perspectives, highlighting the challenges and opportunities encountered by both educators and learners. By elucidating the nature of their experiences, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of immersive STEM education and offers insights into its effective implementation in initial teacher education programs.

Revitalisasi Produk Tempe dalam Wisata Edukasi Keberlanjutan Melalui Hilirisasi Karpet Interaktif Muatan Pembelajaran Berbasis Game dan Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning

The revitalization of tempe products in sustainable educational tourism through the downstreaming of interactive carpets with game-based learning content and Problem Based Learning (PBL) models aims to enhance attractiveness and learning effectiveness. This program integrates interactive technology and problem-based learning approaches to create enjoyable and immersive educational experiences. Methods include developing game-based interactive carpets, providing technical training for tourism managers, and evaluating effectiveness through user feedback. Results indicate increased learning interest and visitor understanding of tempe production processes and sustainability concepts. The implementation of this program is expected to support the development of innovative educational tourism and promote environmental sustainability.

Optimalisasi Proses Pembelajaran Mahasiswa PPG Seni Budaya Melalui Implementasi Edukit Berbasis Interactive Surface

This research aims to optimize the learning process of PPG Arts and Culture students through the implementation of Interactive Surface-based education. The methodology used includes needs analysis, design and development of education, as well as evaluation of the effectiveness of its implementation. This education is designed to provide a more interactive and immersive learning experience, using Interactive Surface technology that allows direct manipulation of learning content. The research results showed a significant increase in student engagement and understanding of the learning material. Evaluation through surveys and in-depth interviews confirms that this education is effective in supporting more adaptive and innovative learning strategies. This research makes an important contribution to the development of modern learning tools that are relevant to today's educational needs.

Pengaruh Live Streaming dan Brand Ambassador Engagement terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Erigo: Studi Kasus Penggemar Grup Idola Jkt48 terhadap Produk Erigo di Karawang.

This research study aims to examine the influence of live streaming and brand ambassador of idol group JKT48 on the purchasing decisions of Erigo’s product. On this era of digitalization marketing, brands image increasingly leverage interactive online methods and influential personalities to enchance their target market and lead customer behavior. As such live streaming providing a real time immersive and interactive shopping experience that creates a dynamic engaging platform for product presentation. Brand ambassador with their credibility and relatability that can reach the significantly impact customer perseptions and preferences, further leading purchace decisions. This research employs a quantitative employ with surveying questionnaire sample of JKT48’s fans that bought Erigo product to gather data impact from their engagement and live streaming with factors influence their purchasing decisions.

An Analysis of the Relationship Linking Immersive Tourism Experiencescape and Emotional Experience to Tourists’ Behavioral Intentions

The sustainable development of tourism is a critical issue, and immersive tourism has emerged as a key market trend that significantly contributes to this goal. Experiencescape, a vital component of immersive tourism, plays a crucial role in shaping tourists’ experience and promoting sustainability within the tourism industry. Taking Chang’an Twelve Hours Theme Block as the research object, this paper investigates the composition and impact of immersive tourism experiencescape by utilizing grounded theory and hierarchical regression analysis on data derived from online reviews and tourist surveys. The findings reveal that immersive tourism experiencescape is divided into two main categories: physical and interpersonal. The physical experiencescape consists of three dimensions: functional facilities, thematic atmosphere, and basic environment. The interpersonal experiencescape, on the other hand, includes tourism performances, host-guest interaction, and personal service. The study demonstrates that immersive tourism experiencescape exerts a significant positive influence on tourists’ behavioral intentions, with emotional experience serving as a partial mediator in this relationship. These insights offer valuable theoretical and practical implications. They provide a perspective for enhancing the sustainability of tourism by improving the quality of immersive experiences.

Dynamic difficulty adjustment using deep reinforcement learning: A review

With the evolution of the gaming industry, there is an increasing demand for games that offer immersive experiences beyond basic gratification. Traditional games with fixed difficulty levels often fail to cater to the diverse preferences and skills of players. To address these needs, dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) has emerged as a crucial element in game design. This review explores the application of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) in achieving DDA, contrasting it with traditional methods. By examining various DRL algorithms and their effectiveness, as well as evaluating traditional models, this review identifies the potential of DRL in enhancing player experiences and outlines existing challenges. It also highlights future research directions, including the integration of DRL with Flow Theory and innovative evaluation methods. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of how DRL can advance game design and improve player satisfaction.

Preface

3nd ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia, 24 August 2023 Accelerating a Just, Secure, and Resilient Energy Transition in ASEAN through Innovation and Interconnectivity Introduction ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organization within ASEAN structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector. With their growing population and economic growth, AMS are expected to be a new global epicentrum of energy market in the future. This trend pushes energy security as one of the highest priorities in energy development in the region. On the other hand, the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025, a regional blueprint on energy cooperation, has a theme and sub-theme in which embracing energy transition is one of the key elements to achieve regional energy security and environmental sustainability. To further accelerate the progress towards a sustainable future, enhance collaboration among various sectors, and bridge the gap between academia, policymakers, and businesses, we are delighted to announce that the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) will be hosting the 3rd ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (AICEE) in conjunction with The ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2023 and The 41st ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) on August 24-25, 2023. These events will offer a platform for academics, practitioners, and stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions to address the challenges of energy and the environment. The conference will take place in Bali, a stunning island renowned for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage. This unique location will provide participants with a memorable and immersive experience, allowing them to explore the fascinating local culture and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s energy and environmental issues. The event promises to be a remarkable occasion fostering collaboration and driving progress towards a sustainable future. This year’s AICEE is the third edition of the annual flagship conference held by ACE. Under the 3rd AICEE, we received 145 extended abstracts, accepted 96 extended abstracts to be compiled as Conference Proceeding and invited 76 authors to submit their full papers. To proceed with the publication, 59 papers are recommended to be the IOP Publishing process, and 44 papers are accepted for the IOP Publication of 2023 AICEE Volume. The 3rd AICEE was convened in-person presentation in partnership with Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (UNDIKNAS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Energy Research Institute (ERI) Chulalongkorn University, National Energy Technology Center-National Science and Technology Development Agency (ENTEC-NSTDA), (ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Hawaii University, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). List of Theme, Topic, Key Dates, Participants, Agenda, Steering Committee, Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee and Documentation are available in this Pdf.

The Role of Gastronomy as A Driver of Rural Tourism Development: The Case of Mirandela

Abstract This research aimed to analyze the perception of tourism stakeholders regarding the potential of gastronomy to revitalize tourism in the Mirandela region. The sample consisted of 95 stakeholders (e.g., managers, team leaders, directors, entrepreneurs) operating in the tourism sector. The study was operationalized using a qualitative methodology, and the data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. The results demonstrated that food quality, identity gastronomy, and food heritage are considered differentiating factors of the local cuisine. Additionally, it was found that diversification of tourism offerings, variety of traditional dishes, and multiplier effect are considered essential elements to enhance local gastronomy and boost tourism in the region. It was possible to ascertain that the promotion of local gastronomy as a tourist product depends on the organization of gastronomic events, preservation of culture, investment in digital marketing, and immersive experiences. Finally, it was observed that among the main measures to position the region as a gastronomic tourist destination are support from the private sector, synergies among local stakeholders, investment in infrastructure, and integration of local gastronomy with other tourism activities.

Post-Removal Mounds: Earthworks Rising in Oklahoma

Abstract: Twenty-first-century Oklahoma—where so many Southeastern, Ohio Valley, Mississippi Valley, and other mound-building and mound-stewarding peoples were forcibly removed in the nineteenth century—is witnessing a reactivation of Indigenous practices of building and stewarding large-scale, highly graphic, multiply encoded earthworks. Replicas of historical platform mounds feature prominently at the Chickasaw Cultural Center that opened in rural south-central Oklahoma in 2010 and the Choctaw Cultural Center that opened in rural southeastern Oklahoma in 2021, while a futuristic, spiraling "promontory mound" forms an integral component of the multitribal First Americans Museum that opened outside urban Oklahoma City in 2021. Constructed and curated to meet the expectations of both tribal citizens and diverse Native and non-Native tourists, how do these new earthen structures and their contextualizing environments occupy space, organize relations, and make meaning within their specific contexts of cultural celebration, Indigenous-centered education, and immersive visitor experience? And what do they tell us about the possibilities for Indigenous aesthetics and architectural design in the future?

THE POWER OF COMICS: FOSTERING PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS' INTEREST IN ENGLISH LESSONS

Comics have emerged as a potent tool for enhancing engagement and comprehension in primary school education. This article explores the efficacy of utilizing comics to cultivate pupils' interest in lessons. By amalgamating visual storytelling with educational content, comics offer a dynamic and captivating medium to captivate young learners. Through an examination of relevant research and practical examples, this article elucidates how incorporating comics into the curriculum can stimulate curiosity, facilitate retention, and promote critical thinking skills among primary school pupils. Furthermore, it delves into the strategies educators can employ to integrate comics effectively into lesson plans, ensuring an enriching and immersive learning experience. By harnessing the inherent appeal of comics, educators can nurture a love for learning and empower pupils to explore complex concepts with enthusiasm and creativity.

Enhancing public entertainment with touch: Possibilities and pitfalls.

There has long been interest in augmenting cinematic and other forms of public entertainment through tactile and/or bodily (i.e., vestibular) stimulation. In this narrative historical review, the early history of touch (or haptics, as it is sometimes called) and other forms of bodily stimulation (e.g., motion platforms) in the context of entertainment is critically reviewed, with a focus on early cinema as well as other early examples of immersive virtual reality travel experiences. Critically, various challenges have limited the introduction of such additional channels of sensory stimulation. These include technological, financial, cognitive, creative, ethical/artistic, and also legal considerations, given the many patents that currently exist covering commercial digital tactile stimulation (e.g., in the gaming context). Taken together, these challenges help to explain why it is that despite the early interest in "the feelies" (e.g., an envisioning of film that includes tactile sensations by Aldous Huxley, in his novel Brave New World), touch-enhanced cinema and storytelling have never really caught on in the mainstream in the way that, say, the talkies so obviously did following the introduction of sound into cinema in the early decades of the 20th century. Nevertheless, identifying the potential successful use cases that have emerged from previous attempts to augment public entertainments with tactile/bodily stimulation will likely provide useful guidelines for the future tactile augmentation of home entertainment.

Transforming Computer Practice Teaching through Virtual Reality: Trends and Future Directions

The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) in computer education has acquired significant momentum due to its ability to provide immersive and interactive learning experiences. This paper analyzes current trends, challenges, and potential advancements in the utilization of virtual reality for practical computer science education. We aim to investigate how virtual reality (VR) enhances experiential learning through key characteristics such as immersion, engagement, and presence, while also examining the influence of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and VR-augmented reality (AR) hybrid systems on the progression of personalized learning. We assess the benefits of VR in developing practical skills and critical thinking through a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in VR hardware, software, and their applications inside a safe, virtual environment. Additionally, we assess the integration of virtual reality (VR) with learning management systems (LMS) and its trans disciplinary applications, as well as ethical concerns regarding accessibility and data protection.

Virtual Reality Combined With Psychoeducation to Improve Emotional Well-Being in Informal Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Rationale and Study Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Care for community-dwelling people with dementia is frequently delegated to relatives, who find themselves in the role of informal caregivers with no practical management knowledge. This situation exposes caregivers to increased risk for emotional wellbeing. The current study aims to test whether the integration of the efficacy of an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience into an online psychoeducational program impacts caregiver empathy and therefore emotional wellbeing. One-hundred informal caregivers of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned to (i) an online psychoeducational program (control arm); or (ii) an online psychoeducational program integrated with VR (experimental arm). VR will consist of 360-degree videos involving the caregivers to an immersive experience of dementia symptoms from the patient's perspective. Before, after the intervention and after 2months, all participants will complete validated clinical scales for caregiver burden and anxiety (primary outcomes) and sense of competence and dispositional empathy (secondary outcomes). A subsample of 50 participants will also undergo MRI exam, including structural and functional (resting-state and task-functional MRI [fMRI]) sequences. The fMRI task paradigm will use emotional stimuli to evaluate the neural correlate of empathy, by stressing its cognitive and affective components. The main outcome will be the change in the clinical assessment; the secondary outcome will be the change in brain connectivity of networks subserving the empathic and emotional functioning. We expect that the psychoeducational program will decrease anxiety and stress, enabling caregivers to perceive themselves capable of managing AD patients at home, educating them on symptom handling and boosting their cognitive empathy. In the experimental intervention, the VR-based experience will act as an add-on to psychoeducation, leading to greater improvement in the assessed clinical dimensions. VR should, in fact, enable a deeper understanding of disease symptoms and improve caregivers' cognitive empathy. We expect that the experimental intervention will result in deeper comprehension of disease symptoms and further strengthen caregivers' cognitive empathy. At the neural level, we expect to observe increased activation in circuits subserving cognitive empathy and decreased activation in circuits underlying affective empathy. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of combining psychoeducational interventions with VR-based experience in caregivers, and assessing both clinical and imaging outcomes. Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05780476).

Measuring the Success of Grandpa Aki’s Short Video Series in Cross-cultural Transmission of Traditional Chinese Culture

With the development of digitization and online platforms, short videos have become one of the ways to spread traditional Chinese culture. The success of Grandpa Aki’s short videos is a model of cross-cultural transmission of traditional Chinese culture, especially craftsmanship, via short videos. However, few scholars have talked about the implications of cross-cultural transmission of Chinese excellent traditional culture brought by Grandpa Aki’s short video series. The paper collected the title of the video, the view of the video and the proportion of positive comments and negative comments from the top 5 popular videos by using Python. The paper aims to identify (1) the characteristics of Grandpa Aki’s short video series; (2) the reasons for the success of Grandpa Aki’s short video series; (3) the implication of cross-cultural transmission of traditional Chinese culture from the success of Grandpa Aki’s short video series. The results show that 1) these videos are characterized by an immersive experience and spread traditional Chinese culture in detail. 2) The reasons for the success of these videos are the strong curiosity about traditional Chinese culture from overseas citizens, the value of traditional Chinese culture, the entertainment value of these videos and the resonance from people. The paper provides a thinking mode for scholars to solve the dilemma of overseas dissemination of traditional Chinese culture.

An analysis of the consumer profile and the willingness to pay in immersive virtual tourism

This study aims to determine the associations between socio-demographic profiles, respondents’ self-assessed technology proficiency, willingness to carry out different immersive virtual tourism experiences, and willingness to pay for these kinds of activities compared to real-life experiences. The theoretical framework of the Technology Acceptance Model identifies the perceived usefulness and ease of use of a new technology as key acceptance factors. An Artificial Neural Network was applied to the information obtained through the questionnaires. The study discovered that two factors, virtual tourism engagement and perceived usefulness, significantly impact willingness to pay. Previous video game experience enhances ease-of-use perception. While previous experience with video games increases perceived ease of use, it is revealed that a high degree of experience with technology, which is somewhat in line with the profile of digital natives, may reduce willingness to pay, in line with the experience paradox theory. This knowledge can guide the development of new market segments and marketing strategies, including pricing policies and the promotion of tourist destinations. The growth of technology and tourist capabilities has led to virtual tourism, which can act as a complementary, substitute, or marketing tool. This emerging form of tourism experiences an acceptance curve, where willingness to pay has yet to be explored. This study on the experience paradox and digital natives' impact offers originality, shedding light on the factors affecting willingness to pay in virtual tourism.

Advancements in artificial intelligence for omnichannel marketing and customer service: Enhancing predictive analytics, automation, and operational efficiency

Gone are the days of impersonal customer service and generic marketing. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how businesses interact with customers, making interactions personalized and smooth across every platform. This transformation is powered by AI's capability to predict what customers want, automate routine tasks, and analyze large volumes of data. The Predictive Power of AI examines customer data to predict their preferences. Imagine receiving targeted ads and product recommendations that seem tailored exactly to your preferences! This personalized marketing approach enhances engagement and boosts sales significantly. AI-powered 24/7 chatbots provide instant customer support, eliminating the need for waiting on hold. They handle common inquiries and offer real-time assistance, continuously improving their ability to understand natural language and provide increasingly accurate help with each interaction. AI provides efficiency boost by automating repetitive tasks, allowing human teams to dedicate more time to cultivating relationships with customers, this includes qualifying leads, building targeted email campaigns, and analyzing data to inform business decisions, the outcome? More efficient operations and a happier team. It is imperative for businesses to understand customer sentiments and integration of AI analyzes customer interactions across various channels to assess their emotions and attitudes. This process, known as "sentiment analysis," enables businesses to detect dissatisfaction early, manage online brand perception, and gather valuable insights to enhance products and refine marketing strategies. There are also concerns about Ethical considerations, as AI becomes more integrated, businesses must prioritize customer privacy, eliminate bias in algorithms, and maintain a human touch to build genuine relationships. The future of AI and its possibilities are limitless! Natural Language Processing (NLP) advancements will lead to chatbots that sound and act human, while the integration of AI with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) could create immersive and personalized experiences. In summary, AI is not here to replace humans; it is here to collaborate as your customer experience partner.

Enhancing Non-Player Characters in Unity 3D using GPT-3.5

This case study presents a comprehensive integration process of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 large language model into Unity 3D to enhance non-player characters (NPCs) in video games and interactive applications. The study aims to develop an architecture and open source software framework that enables NPCs to engage in dynamic real-time interactions with players and other characters. The background and motivation for the study are provided, highlighting the existing limitations of traditional NPC programming and the potential of advanced natural language models such as GPT-3.5 to overcome these limitations. The methodology section outlines the step-by-step process, covering framework design and preparation, core architecture development, humanoid avatar integration and animation, and important feature extensions. The progression of framework design and implementation is described, emphasizing key architectural concepts, design patterns, and essential classes and interfaces. The results of the case study are discussed, focusing on the valuable insights gained and the implications for future advancements. Lessons learned from the integration process are shared, along with suggestions for potential improvements and directions for future research. This case study provides a practical resource for game developers and researchers interested in leveraging advanced natural language processing capabilities to create more immersive and interactive NPC experiences in Unity 3D environments.