How Do Learners Form Coherence Between Environmental Details and Verbal Information in Virtual Reality Environments?

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: SIG-Technology, Instruction, Cognition and Learning Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

This experiment investigates the effects of coherence between environmental details and verbal information on learning outcomes in immersive virtual reality (IVR)-environments. Seventy-seven undergraduate students participated in an experiment comparing the effects of coherent and incoherent content in immersive and non-immersive environments. Results indicate that coherence between verbal and visual stimuli does not significantly enhance recall performance. In addition, spatial presence and enjoyment did not translate into improved learning outcomes. These findings suggest that the added complexity of IVR may lead to cognitive overload and thus hinder effective learning. The study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how coherence formation and environmental detail interact in multimedia learning contexts, particularly in IVR-settings in order to optimize educational IVR-environments.

Authors

• Christian Hartmann, Technical University of Munich

• Christian Kosel, Technical University of Munich

• Tina Seidel, Technical University of Munich

• Maria A. Bannert, Technical University of Munich