How Do Learners Interact With Scaffolds? An Exploration Through Simulation-Based Teaching Training in Virtual Reality

• In Event: Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications in Education

Abstract

This exploratory study examined scaffolding design within an Internet-based 3D virtual reality (VR) learning environment. Sixteen graduate teaching assistants from STEM disciplines at a public university in southeastern U.S. participated in the simulation-based teaching training activities developed in VR. The participants’ behaviors and utterance during training were recorded through screen capturing of the VR viewer’ interface and the webcam. Exploiting behavior analysis and sequential pattern mining, we examined the quantitative behavioral data and the qualitative themes emerged from coding. We identified some patterns of learner interaction with different types of scaffolds implemented in the training intervention. More findings will be reported and discussed as we complete later steps of data analyses using sequential pattern mining and analysis on qualitative observations.

Authors

• Zhaihuan Dai, University of South Florida

• Fengfeng Ke, Florida State University

• Mariya Pachman, Florida State University

• Xin Yuan, Florida State University