A two-year study from Arizona State University has revealed positive results from story-driven VR learning experiences on university students.
The study involved more than 4,000 students taking VR biology courses which are enhanced through ‘Dreamscape Learn’, a VR-based learning platform developed in partnership between Arizona State University and Dreamscape Immersive. The platform allows students to explore and solve problems as a scientist in a virtual world.
The results demonstrated a marked improvement in academic outcomes, student satisfaction and lab grades in science courses, as well as increased engagement and retention among STEM majors, finding that all students performed well regardless of demographic factors, with an average grade of “A” from 90.8% to 94.1% on the Dreamscape Learn VR lab assignments.
Students showed improved retention in STEM courses and were more likely to remain in STEM majors for at least a year after taking the course, with students improving their academic performance VR with a one-quarter letter grade improvement in their final course grade on average.
Students also scored a one-quarter letter grade higher in more advanced biology majors’ courses.
Dreamscape Learn VR experiences will now be expanded and implemented in several chemistry, sustainability, space exploration, engineering, business and humanities courses at the university.
Annie Hale, executive director, EdPlus, and clinical assistant professor, College of Global Futures, commented: "What we're seeing is that immersive, emotionally engaging storylines in Dreamscape Learn help students think and feel like scientists.”
Photo credit: Arizona State University