Virtual Reality Learning Environment Research Articles

A comparative study on the impact of four different SVVR-supported intercultural learning environments on learners’ intercultural competence and learning engagement

ABSTRACT In the digital age, spherical video-based virtual reality (SVVR) emerges as a powerful tool for intercultural education, enabling immersive experiences that transcend geographical boundaries. However, prevalent research often reduces learners to passive observers, constraining the cultivation of intercultural competence. This study addresses the gap in current research by examining the effects of learning devices and interaction components within SVVR environments, based on embodied cognition theory, on intercultural competence. Additionally, it also focuses on student engagement during intercultural learning in SVVR environments, an aspect that previous studies have insufficiently explored. Using a mixed-methods approach with 80 participants from China and Indonesia, we compared four distinct learning environments: Basic Learning Environment (BLE), Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE), Basic Guide Learning Environment (BGLE), and Embodied interactive Learning Environment (EILE). The findings indicate that the EILE, which achieves a higher level of embodied interaction, significantly enhances intercultural competence and learning engagement compared to other conditions. Specifically, EILE group showed superior emotional and cognitive engagement, as well as diverse and proactive behavioural patterns. This study underscores the importance of educational design in SVVR, showing that careful consideration of learning devices and interactive components can promote active learning, deeper understanding, and positive learning behaviours.

Enhancing multimodal output in CLIL education: the impact of VR games on fourth-grade students’ English poster designs and presentations in Taiwan

Despite the growing recognition of the importance of multimodal input and digital virtual reality (VR) games in enhancing EFL learners’ productive language skills, a significant gap remains in empirical research examining their impact on multimodal output—particularly writing and speaking—within content and language integrated learning (CLIL) science education. This quasi-experimental study addresses this gap by investigating the potential benefits of using VR games to enhance fourth-grade CLIL students’ productive language skills, specifically writing and speaking, through the analysis of their ability to convey scientific concepts in multimodal output. Grounded in self-regulated learning (SRL) theory, the study compares the effects of multimodal input embedded in VR games with those of traditional PowerPoint (PPT)-led games on students’ English poster designs (writing) and oral presentations (speaking), using the 4Cs (Content, Communication, Cognition, and Culture) framework in multimodal assessments. The study involved 81 fourth-grade students from three Taiwanese public elementary schools, divided into an experimental group (EG = 40) using VR-based games and a control group (CG = 41) using PPT-led games for content review. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative evaluations with rubrics based on the 4Cs framework and qualitative rater reflections to provide a comprehensive understanding of how different review methods influenced student performance and creative output. Quantitative findings revealed that students using VR review games significantly outperformed those using traditional PPT games in aspects of Content and Cognition for both poster designs and presentations, demonstrating greater depth, accuracy, and application of scientific concepts and higher-order cognitive skills. In terms of Communication, the EG showed higher target vocabulary usage and sentence complexity in presentations, but no significant differences were found in Culture outcomes between the groups or in Communication in posters. Expert raters’ reflections further highlighted that students using VR games exhibited more innovative and integrated use of scientific content, critical thinking, and multimodal expressions, reflecting deeper engagement with the material. This study empirically demonstrates that game-based virtual reality learning environments (VRLEs) significantly enhance students’ multimodal output in content and cognitive skills. Theoretically, it extends the application of SRL in CLIL contexts by highlighting the potential of VRLEs to foster advanced cognitive skills and emphasizes the importance of multimodal assessments in capturing comprehensive student learning outcomes. Future research should explore integrating cultural content into VR environments to enhance students’ cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Virtual Children’s Hospital for Learning Pediatric Nursing

Abstract Background In the context of a funded Erasmus+ program, a platform of a Virtual Children’s Hospital for Learning Pediatric Nursing - VLPN is being developed. The education of nurses working with children, adolescents and families, needs to include specialized knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors that will empower them to provide optimal and high-quality care. The virtual platform enables the improvement of pediatric nursing competences of the nursing students through interactive and self-paced activities and content. Objectives 1. To develop an immersive and interactive virtual reality learning environment (VRLE), a virtual children’s hospital and new teaching and learning methods and practices, utilizing virtual reality and simulation in teaching. 2. To promote the international collaboration of students and lecturers through the VRLE Results The results are preliminary. 1. The VRLE includes educational materials developed to be integrated in the pediatric nursing studies, easy to access and use by the students and teachers with innovative self-pace learning material i.e. videos, 3D-models, interactive tests. Digital patients can react to the provided care with speech, movement, facial expressions and gestures, something that is not possible with the manikins in the Labs. 2. Nursing students and lecturers from different countries can participate in joint remote seminars or workshops in the VRLE, sharing and comparing their country and culture-specific differences and similarities in the nursing practices. VRLE and digital materials enables synchronous and asynchronous learning. Conclusions VRLE is highly conducive to clinical and procedure-focused training by enabling simulation. VR methods offer nursing students the opportunity to practice skills in a safe and risk-free environment in an immersive way. It can be accessed by multiple students, teachers or nurses at the same time from different locations in different countries. Key messages • New innovative VRLE enhances nursing students’ knowledge and skills that are needed when working with sick children and their families. • International collaboration, interaction and mobilization are enabled by using a virtual platform instead of traveling, thus strengthening the co-operation in European higher educational institutes.

Study of Graphic Armatures, Multimodal Cues, and Numeric Measures in Virtual Reality on Learners’ Performance and Workload

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly utilized in education, yet its effectiveness can vary due to potential distractions and excessive workload. Prior research suggests that virtual signaling elements can enhance learning in VR environments. However, the effectiveness of different design elements for specific learning content and their impact on learner workload remain understudied. This study examines the influence of graphic armatures, multimodal cues, and numeric measures on scale learning in Scale Worlds, a VR learning environment for exploring scientific entities across multiple scales. Preliminary results indicate that numeric measures notably enhance learning outcomes by providing direct scale representations. It shows that different virtual elements can variably affect learners’ scale learning outcomes and behaviors and can lead to varying levels of workload. This study underscores the importance of aligning the design of virtual elements with educational objectives and ensuring they induce an appropriate level of workload for learning in VR learning environment.

Interactivity and identity impact learners' sense of agency in virtual reality field trips

AbstractAgency, or the capacity to take intentional actions, is considered one of the primary affordances of virtual reality (VR) for learning. VR is expected to increase learners' agency because it allows for full‐body interactivity from a first‐person perspective, giving them novel ways of interacting with the digital environment. Yet, agency in immersive learning has not been well‐studied relative to other affordances like presence, and more evidence is needed to understand how varied media and designs heighten or diminish agency. This mixed‐method study addressed this need by developing and validating measures of sense of agency with 30 high school students who used VR field trips in their engineering class over four lessons. By comparing immersive videos to video game‐like interactive graphical environments, the study illustrates some of the complexities of agency in VR. The findings indicate agency is not a unidimensional construct nor is it equivalent to full‐body interactivity in VR as learners felt some types of agency when using immersive videos. Furthermore, learners' identities moderated associations between the type of VR media and their sense of agency, and agency did not change over time as the novelty of VR waned. These results suggest VR designers should consider varied ways of interacting in VR that are beneficial for learning. They also support the use of immersive videos when the educator's goal is to increase agency over learning or focus, and provide measures and direction for future research to assess the relationship between varied types of agency, features of VR experiences and learning outcomes. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Virtual reality (VR) can enhance learning by giving learners a strong sense of presence in the virtual environment and giving them agency over their learning through novel forms of interactivity. Many studies have looked at increasing the learner's presence in VR, but fewer have assessed learners' agency. Prior work found the impact of increased interactivity on learning was mixed: sometimes it increased learning outcomes and motivation, other times it did not. What this paper adds This study develops and validates measures of learners' sense of agency within VR learning environments. This study finds that more interactivity in VR increases how much agency learners feel over their actions but not necessarily their agency over learning and attention. This study also finds variation in students' experiences of agency based on their culturally defined sense of self‐construal. Implications for practice and/or policy Practitioners interested in immersive learning technologies should consider the design of the media used rather than focusing only on the device's capability. Immersive videos may be effective tools for enhancing student agency, depending on the aims of the learning experience. Designers and educators should consider learners' identities such as self‐construal, and understand student experiences may vary.

Enhancing students' learning outcomes in self‐regulated virtual reality learning environment with learning aid mechanisms

AbstractVirtual Reality (VR) has demonstrated significant advantages in various educational fields as it allows learners to actively learn in high interactivity and realism under their learning pace. However, for low‐achieving students, VR learning environments may introduce some challenges, which are problems encountered during their learning process, which lead to difficulties in self‐regulating their learning progress and becoming disoriented in the lack of guidance. This study aims to explore the improvement of self‐regulated VR learning environment based on the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning and enhance the performance of low‐achieving students. We designed a VR course on electronic circuit hardware and programming, providing participants with a series of learning aids in the VR learning environment, including feedback, hints and guidance. Feedback aids provide correct or incorrect feedback after each task or test, guidance aids display progress following each task or test and hint aids offer guidance when inactivity is detected. A quasi‐experiment was conducted by using questionnaires and practical tasks to assess the participants' cognitive levels, practical hands‐on skills, self‐regulated learning abilities and learning engagement after VR learning. The results demonstrated significant improvements in all learning indicators for low‐achieving students. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Virtual Reality (VR) presents itself as a promising tool for self‐regulated learning (SRL). SRL abilities are of paramount importance within the learning environment of VR. In the context of the self‐regulated Virtual Reality (SRVR) learning environment, low‐achieving students have received little attention. What this paper adds It examines the effectiveness of learning aid mechanisms within the SRVR learning environment. These mechanisms support cognitive levels and increase engagement in SRVR learning. Low‐achieving learners benefit from the presence of learning aid mechanisms in the SRVR learning environment. Implications for practice and/or policy Providing learning aid mechanisms within the SRVR learning environment can potentially augment learning. Learning aids mechanism have the potential to provide comprehensive support within the SRVR setting.

Toward the Consolidation of Filming Simulators: A Systematic Literature Review of Virtual Environments for Audiovisual Learning and Practice

In recent decades, virtual reality (VR) learning environments have expanded across various fields, promising procedural knowledge acquisition. While health and engineering have extensively explored these spaces, the audiovisual production domain has received comparatively less attention. Conversely, the entertainment and media sectors aim to reduce costs in immersive production, leveraging advancements in 360 cameras, VR headsets, and 3D visualization. This systematic literature review covers 14 years, aiming to comprehensively address this gap. Initially identifying 319 references, 33 were meticulously selected for analysis. The review elucidates key themes regarding needs, implementation strategies, and outcomes. While tool development prioritizes enhancing accessibility and affordability, applications remain confined to experimental pilots. This review highlights the need for further investigation of virtual environments for audiovisual learning and practice, with future research prioritizing broader implementations integrated into curricula or full-scale productions, as well as comparative studies to comprehensively assess the benefits of virtual environments.

Integrating feedback mechanisms and ChatGPT for VR-based experiential learning: impacts on reflective thinking and AIoT physical hands-on tasks

ABSTRACT This study investigates the application of Virtual Reality (VR) in the educational field, particularly its integration with GAI technologies such as ChatGPT to enhance the learning experience. The research indicates that while VR provides an immersive learning environment fostering student interaction and interest, the lack of a structured learning framework and personalized feedback may limit its educational effectiveness and potentially affect the transfer of VR-learned knowledge to physical hands-on tasks. Hence, it calls for the provision of more targeted and personalized feedback in VR learning environments. Through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), this study collected data from 77 university students, integrating experiential learning in VR for acquiring AIoT knowledge and practical skills, and compared the effects of traditional feedback versus GPT feedback on promoting reflective thinking, learning motivation, cognitive levels, and AIoT hands-on abilities among the students. The results show that the group receiving GPT feedback significantly outperformed the control group across these learning indicators, demonstrating the effectiveness of GAI technologies in providing personalized learning support, facilitating deep learning, and enhancing educational outcomes. This study offers new insights into the integration of GAI technology in VR learning environments, paving new pathways for the development and application of future educational technologies.

Examining the Predictive Relationships Between Presences of a Community of Inquiry in a Desktop Virtual Reality (VR) Learning Environment

Examining the Predictive Relationships Between Presences of a Community of Inquiry in a Desktop Virtual Reality (VR) Learning Environment

A Roadmap to Support the Development of Chemistry Virtual Reality Learning Environments Merging Chemical Pedagogy and Educational Technology Design

A Roadmap to Support the Development of Chemistry Virtual Reality Learning Environments Merging Chemical Pedagogy and Educational Technology Design

Studying the Use of Virtual Reality Learning Environments to Engage School Children in Safe Cycling Education

Background The promotion of cycling for children is beneficial from a health and environmental perspective, however road safety and awareness amongst this age group remain a considerable issue. As children are developing their cognitive and physical abilities, they are considered a high-risk group for injuries and fatalities on the roads. Virtual learning environments have demonstrated promising ways to engage children in learning about road risks and teach children about safe cycling. Intervention A web-based Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and Virtual Reality (VR) environment was designed to offer a platform for schoolchildren to learn about safe cycling and to develop skills for them to better detect hazards in traffic. Both learning environments were used by 455 school children and 20 class teachers. Methods Fun toolkit methods, specifically designed for child participants were used to assess the design of the technology, and for teachers a qualitative survey to provide evidence around the use of both learning environments. Results Results suggest both learning environments were appealing for lower school grade participants. For grades five and six a need to review the relevance and user design of the learning content was evident. The VR environment was highly attractive across all school grades, suggesting that VR could be a feasible way to teach road safety and safe cycling for school children. Discussion Although VLE and VR environment were attractive and fun to use, some users of VR experienced motion sickness. This would need to be considered and further examined before engaging a young learner in a VR learning environment. Several considerations are provided for teachers, practitioners, researchers, and designers seeking means to promote safe cycling for children.

Facilitating cognitive development and addressing stereotypes with a cross‐cultural learning activity supported by interactive 360‐degree video technology

AbstractThis study investigates a virtual reality (VR) cross‐cultural interactive learning environment that combines a 360‐degree video camera for content creation, a viewing tool, and a video conference platform for real‐time interaction. This environment aims to address the limitations of traditional 360‐degree VR tools, particularly in enabling simultaneous, interactive engagement among multiple users. The study recruited 31 university students from China and Indonesia utilizing convenience sampling to test the efficacy of the environment in fostering cognitive development and challenging cross‐cultural stereotypes. The methodology included analysing student‐created content, questionnaire responses, and insights from semistructured interviews. The analysis, grounded in a cognitive development taxonomy and an assessment of stereotype changes, revealed that the students reached the “remember” and “understand” cognitive levels. Additionally, prevalent stereotypes held by the students were addressed. The immersive nature of the VR environment and the interactions with foreign peers were highly appreciated, significantly contributing to cognitive growth and stereotype mitigation. These findings offer valuable insights for educators and researchers in technology‐assisted cross‐cultural education, emphasizing the importance of designing interactive VR‐based activities that effectively facilitate cognitive development and address cross‐cultural stereotypes.Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Telecollaborative projects have been widely implemented to facilitate intercultural learning. Scholars have employed 360‐degree video technology to develop virtual reality (VR) learning environments. 360‐degree videos offer a panoramic view of different cultures, enabling learners to explore and interact with their surroundings, thus fostering contextualized learning experiences. Such videos can enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning effectiveness. What this paper contributes The existing 360‐degree video technology offers only a restricted range of learning scenarios, especially in terms of the capability to enable multiple students to watch virtual reality (VR) content using head‐mounted displays (HMDs) and engage in real‐time interactions simultaneously. To overcome this limitation, we developed a virtual reality (VR) cross‐cultural interactive learning environment. Our solution includes a 360‐degree video viewing tool with which students can watch the created content, along with an online video conference platform that facilitates the observation of each other's viewed content through their HMDs, and enables real‐time communication among students to discuss the content they are experiencing. Implications for practice or policy The integration of our VR interactive learning environment into cross‐cultural learning creates authentic and immersive learning environments that provide students with a realistic sense of presence. This enhances cross‐cultural learning by making objects, people, and situations appear lifelike. Our technological approach fosters interaction among students from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds within virtual reality learning environments. Students can not only receive information about the target culture but also exchange culture‐related information and communicate in real time. Since our approach is convenient and autonomous, it holds immense potential for resolving the common challenges faced by teachers and students in cross‐cultural teaching and learning.

Design and Evaluation of a Multifaceted Virtual Reality Learning Environment

Design and Evaluation of a Multifaceted Virtual Reality Learning Environment

Behavioral intention, perception and user assessment in an immersive virtual reality environment with CFD simulations

This study explores technology acceptance, perception and user assessment of an immersive virtual reality environment with computational fluid dynamics simulations in engineering education. 57 participants from three different institutions tested the virtual reality application. Partial least squares structural equation modeling and interferential statistics were performed to predict and assess interrelations among constructs. Results show that the learning value, content value, intrinsic motivation and personal innovativeness are underlying factors behind students’ intention to use virtual reality. Pair-wise analysis indicates that users’ perceptions matter and positively affect their attitudes. In addition, the virtual reality application helps students perform significantly better in the post-knowledge test. Findings also highlight that prior experience and interest can affect students’ attitudes and behavioral intentions to accept the virtual reality application in education. Our study can guide lecturers and developers to achieve on-target immersive virtual reality learning environments in higher education.

Signaling feedback mechanisms to promoting self-regulated learning and motivation in virtual reality transferred to real-world hands-on tasks

ABSTRACT Virtual reality (VR) provides a unique platform for interactive learning experiences, enhancing learning, particularly in hands-on courses. However, the visual load of VR and the lack of guidance and interaction from physical teachers or peers can pose challenges for learners in self-regulated learning (SRL) and learning motivation. This study designed feedback in the VR learning environment based on the signaling principles of Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) to investigate learners’ SRL, learning motivation, cognitive levels, and their abilities to handle real-world scenarios. We developed a VR hands-on learning course on the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) and conducted two real-world AIoT hands-on tasks, implementing a quasi-experimental study with 71 university students. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group received three types of feedback signals (gaze, progress, and decision) designed based on signaling principles, while the control group received no feedback. The results showed that the experimental group exhibited significantly higher levels of SRL and learning motivation compared to the control group after VR learning. The feedback group also performed better in terms of cognitive levels and real-world hands-on tasks.

The virtual reality classroom: a randomized control trial of medical student knowledge of postpartum hemorrhage emergency management.

To investigate the use of a virtual reality learning environment (VRLE) to enhance medical student knowledge of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) emergency management and insertion of a postpartum balloon. A randomized control trial involving medical students from University College Dublin, Ireland. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (VRLE tutorial) or control group (PowerPoint tutorial on the same topic). All participants completed pre-learning experience and post-learning experience surveys. Both groups were timed and assessed on postpartum balloon insertion technique on a model pelvis. The primary outcome was assessment of student knowledge. Secondary outcomes included confidence levels, time taken to complete the task, technique assessment, satisfaction with the learning environment, and side effects of VR. Both learning experiences significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced student performance on the post-learning experience multiple choice questionnaire, with no difference between the intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, time for task completion was significantly less compared to the control group (1-2 min vs. 2-3 min, p = 0.039). Both learning experiences significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced student confidence, with no significant difference between intervention and control groups. 100% of the students using the VRLE enjoyed the experience, and 82.4% were very likely to recommend use of VRLE in medical education. 94.1% of the students felt the VRLE was beneficial over didactic teaching. Receiving formal instruction, regardless of format, enhances students' knowledge and confidence of the topic covered. Students who received instruction via the VRLE assembled the postpartum balloon faster than students who received didactic teaching. VR may be beneficial in teaching hands-on procedural skills in obstetrics and gynecology education.

Virtual reality and gamification in education: a systematic review

This study aims to analyze the use of virtual reality and gamification in education by examining the existing literature. In addition to virtual reality, this study focuses on gamified virtual reality learning environments which refer to virtual reality learning environments that integrate gamification elements and mechanisms. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, a systematic literature review was carried out. No limitations were set regarding educational level, type of study, subject, and publication year. The related articles were retrieved from 5 databases (ERIC, Google Scholar, IEEE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science). A total of 112 articles were included, 16 research questions were explored, and a thematic analysis was conducted. To evaluate the quality of the articles included, the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used. According to the findings, gamification and virtual reality support several pedagogical theories and approaches. Their adoption to and integration into education can enrich and transform traditional teaching and learning and were assessed positively by students and teachers. Gamification elements significantly affected students’ achievements. In comparison to traditional learning environments, gamified virtual reality learning environments were more motivating, engaging, and interactive and offered more opportunities for personalized and collaborative learning. Through the realistic and interactive experiences offered, students’ immersion and social presence can be enhanced, knowledge acquisition can be improved, and material comprehension can be facilitated. Positive changes in student attitude, behavior, and mentality as well as improved cognitive, physical, and social–emotional development were observed. When using learning environments that integrate both virtual reality and gamification, students’ learning outcomes, motivation, engagement, and self-efficacy were increased. Additionally, students’ academic performance, active involvement, and satisfaction were improved. Students’ curiosity, imagination, focus, and interest were enhanced and their skills and competences were developed. Finally, gamified virtual reality emerged as an effective educational tool that can improve learning at all educational levels, subjects, and contexts.

Phenomenological Evaluation of an Undergraduate Clinical Needs Finding Skills Through a Virtual Reality Clinical Immersion Platform

Clinical immersion programs have been widely used in higher education, particularly in biomedical engineering (BME) programs, to allow students to identify and evaluate the unmet clinical needs. However, due to limited space and extensive safety protocols required to enter hospitals, access for undergraduate students to shadow physicians is limited. BME students need to be trained to identify and evaluate unmet clinical needs through observation and experience to remain competitive in the medical device landscape. To be able to allow students to immerse themselves into clinical environments remotely and be able to visualize the full spectrum of healthcare workers and equipment that support a procedure beyond what is available through online video records, we have developed a virtual reality (VR) clinical immersion platform. The applicability and overall student satisfaction of using VR learning environments was investigated through a pilot undergraduate BME unmet clinical needs finding course in the spring of 2022. Pre- and post-course survey analyses revealed that the VR clinical immersion experiences did greatly increase immersion within a medical procedure, and students felt sensations of presence and embodiment. Given the results of this study, VR learning environments can provide a means for students to perform unmet clinical needs through virtual clinical immersion. However, these technologies to support environments should be readily accessible within the classroom.

Design and assessment of a virtual reality learning environment for firefighters

The use of virtual reality (VR) in firefighter training is promising because it provides cost-effective, safe environments that arouse similar behavioral responses to real-life scenarios. However, the pedagogical potential of VR and its impact on learning outcomes compared to traditional methods is currently an under-explored area. This research investigates how well VR can support learning compared to traditional methods in the context of training firefighters in combating vegetation fires. A VR learning environment was developed, informed by a “design for learning” framework providing a pedagogical underpinning. A between-subjects experiment was conducted with 40 participants to measure the knowledge transfer of the VR learning environment against the official textbook. In addition, VR's theorized learning benefits of intrinsic motivation, situational interest, and self-efficacy were compared with textbook-based learning. Lastly, the design quality of the learning environment was assessed based on its learning and user experience. We employed a primarily quantitative approach to data collection and analysis, using a combination of knowledge test results and questionnaires, with supporting qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and observation notes to answer our hypotheses. The results found a significant difference between the knowledge transfer of both conditions, with textbook-based learning more effectively transferring factual and conceptual knowledge than VR. No significant difference was found in reported self-efficacy between the two conditions but was found in reported levels of intrinsic motivation and situational interest, which were higher in the VR condition. The design was found to have facilitated a good user and learning experience, assessed via questionnaire responses. During interviews, VR participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the experience, praising the hands-on learning approach and interactivity, while reporting frustration with the lack of knowledge reinforcement and initial difficulties with the controls. A key finding was that presence was found to be negatively associated with knowledge transfer, which we theorize to be caused by the novelty of the realistic VR environment distracting participants from the more familiar lesson content. This research contributes to the body of work related to knowledge transfer within VR in this domain while highlighting key pedagogical and design considerations that can be used to inform future design implementations.

Creating a Framework for Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE) for Studio-Based Learning

Higher education academics are lacking the knowledge on how to implement Design Thinking (DT) for transdisciplinary design studies that would produce Fourth Industrial Revolution Workforce Skills (4IRSkills), due to the sparsity in literature and implementation guidelines. This article discusses on the creation process of a Teaching and Learning Framework (TLF) for transdisciplinary design studies with a desktop-based Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE) simulation of studio-based learning. The framework was created using a Selander’s Learning Design Sequence (LDS) with DT approach. The LDS helped the researcher to understand the processes of teaching and learning, especially on the affordances of various modes. The DT approach was used to facilitate the process of solving problems through the practice of empathy, reframing, prototyping, experimentation, testing, and redesign. A sequential explanatory mixed method was used, and the data were analyzed through inferential statistical analysis, thematic analysis and convergent coding matrix triangulation protocol. The findings indicated that the TLF with VRLE showed a positive and significant relationship with students' achievement of 4IRSkills. The TLF Design Process and Collaborative Design variables were positively correlated with students' 4IRSkills, while there was no correlation for the VRLE Representational Fidelity and Learner Interaction variables. In conclusion, the TLF with VRLE proves to be an effective and suitable method for guiding the implementation of pedagogies that teaches 4IRSkills at the tertiary level in fully online learning environments.