How to Formulate Tasks in Virtual Learning Simulations for Social Immersion

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 12:40 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Workplace Learning Roundtable Session 1 (Table 37)

Abstract

Virtual Learning Simulations (VLS) are believed to foster authentic learning situations, facilitating knowledge and skill transfer to learners' future professions. Given the significance of social interactions in work-related learning, this study examines how learners' social embedding within VLS influences task-solving, authenticity, enjoyment, and immersion. The task "supplier selection" is adapted to five levels of a taxonomy of social embedding and presented to 126 professional learners in an experimental design. Initial findings from various ANOVAs and post-hoc analyses reveal that the degree of social embedding significantly impacts authenticity, enjoyment, and immersion within VLS, while not affecting task-solving. The study concludes that promoting learner motivation in work-based VLS requires incorporating ample opportunities for social interaction.

Authors

• Anke Braunstein, University of Goettingen

• Viola Deutscher, University of Goettingen