Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 38 Number 2: Winter 2005

	Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Utah
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

Volume 38 Number 2 Winter 2005

Are Learning Styles Relevant To Virtual Reality?

Chwen Jen Chen
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Seong Chong Toh
Wan Mohd Fauzy Wan Ismail
University Science Malaysia

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of a virtual reality (VR)-based learning environment on learners with different learning styles. The findings of the aptitude-by-treatment interaction study have shown that learners benefit most from the VR (guided exploration) mode, irrespective of their learning styles. This shows that the VR-based environment offers promise in accommodating individual differences in terms of learning style. In addition, the significant positive effect of the VR (guided exploration) mode — which provides additional navigational aids — over the VR (non-guided exploration) mode — which does not provide additional navigational aids — also implies the importance of providing VR-based learning environments with proper instructional design to achieve the desired educational outcomes.

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Contributors

Chwen Jen Chen is a Cognitive Sciences and Human Development lecturer attached to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and has been actively involved in the research and development work utilizing virtual reality technology since 1996. Parts of the work done in the project reported in this paper have been published in journals such as the Journal of Interactive Learning Research, Educational Technology Research and Development, and various proceedings.

Seong Chong Toh and Wan Mohd Fauzy are associate professors in instructional technology. Both of them are currently attached to the Centre for Instructional Technology and Multimedia, University Science Malaysia.

Contact

Chwen Jen Chen
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
94300 Kota Samarahan
Sarawak, Malaysia
cjchen@fcs.unimas.my

Seong Chong Toh and Wan Mohd Fauzy
University Science Malaysia
11800 Minden
Penang, Malaysia
tohsc@usm.my
fauzy@usm.my

Copyright © 2005, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.