The use of virtual reality in higher education plays a major role in addressing key areas of teaching, research, and learning. The applicable use of virtual reality sets the stage for ways to integrate an immersive environment, customizable based on higher education constituents preferences. The purpose of this research was to determine emerged…

Data are an essential factor in the fourth industrial revolution, demanding engineers and scientists to leverage and analyze their potential for significantly improving the efficiency of industrial processes and their control systems. In classical industrial process control systems, the models are constructed using linear data-driven approaches,…

The present investigation aims to identify best practices to design virtual reality (VR) story-worlds to promote prejudice reduction and foster prosocial attitudes toward under-represented groups. Past research shows that VR, which allows the simulation of scenarios that would otherwise be prohibitively difficult or impossible in real life, can be…

Data visualization is a powerful strategy for using graphics to represent data for effective communication and analysis. Unfortunately, creating effective data visualizations is a challenge for both novice and expert design users. The task often involves an iterative process of trial and error, which by its nature, is time-consuming. Designers…

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) and emotionally resonant videos on knowledge retention for adult learners at a contractor safety training organization supporting the energy industry. The intent of this research was to determine if traditional computer-based training (CBT) can be made more…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to collect data from 18 published augmented reality researchers to determine their perceptions on: (a) how augmented reality will influence high school education in the future; (b) how augmented reality will impact curriculum and instruction, taking into account specific content areas (e.g., science,…

This dissertation aimed to expand knowledge and practical uses of educational technology tools in high-stakes team training environments. This study depicted the real-world impacts of virtual reality (VR) technology on learning and training for the Royal New Zealand Police Academy and those training teams in high-stakes environments.…

As virtual reality (VR) becomes more commonly used in education, it is important to understand the technology's weakness and mitigate any potential negative effects on student success. One adverse side-effect of VR use is simulation-induced motion sickness, known in the context of VR as VR sickness. Previous research by Howard and Van Zandt (2021)…

Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize the way we learn and educate, enhancing and supplementing the traditional learning experience by providing new ways to interact with information and people. However, its full potential in education has yet to be fully realized, as work in this space requires resolving cutting-edge technical…

Human space exploration is entering a new era through the design of missions that venture further from earth for longer durations, such as missions to the Moon and Mars. Mission success during long duration exploration missions (LDEM) requires astronauts to flawlessly execute exceptionally complex skills across a multitude of tasks, presenting new…

The goal of this qualitative study was to answer the question: How do educators make sense of learning in virtual reality? This study utilized multimedia learning theory and cognitive load theory to explore how educators understand virtual reality in education. Pre- and post-interviews as well as a VR experience were conducted with 13 educators…

Virtual Reality (VR) is rapidly gaining popularity as a consumer technology, yet accessibility has not been prioritized. VR enables users to interact with immersive virtual worlds, but effective interaction requires the ability to perceive and navigate the environment. Fortunately, over the past thirty years, hundreds of scene-viewing and…

Teacher preparation programs are ever evolving based on research and student needs. The use of technology, such as virtual reality (VR), is at the forefront of education to help provide opportunities for teacher candidates to practice teaching in a semi-authentic classroom environment of students with and without exceptionalities. VR is a way for…

Research has shown that new graduate registered nurses (NGRNs) do not possess the critical thinking skills needed to provide adequate patient care upon entrance into the workforce. Today's healthcare facilities demand that NGRNs possess the critical thinking skills that will allow them to apply their knowledge to patient care situations.…

This dissertation examines the possibilities and anxieties that attend a notion haunting Western thought since at least Kant--that reality itself is a revisable construct, a kind of collective game with social and physical rules that simultaneously delimit and solicit radical interactivity. Investigating experiments in the gamification of reality…