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Exploring the Motivational Factors and Learning Outcomes of Virtual Reality Educational Games for Middle School Students: A Unity 3D Case Study

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Title: Exploring the Motivational Factors and Learning Outcomes of Virtual Reality Educational Games for Middle School Students: A Unity 3D Case Study
Language: English
Authors: Jun Li (ORCID 0009-0003-4951-8513), Xuan Zhang (ORCID 0009-0001-9856-1812), Xiao Chen Liu (ORCID 0009-0001-7153-8436)
Source: Interactive Learning Environments. 2025 33(5):3593-3613.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Computer Simulation, Educational Games, Game Based Learning, Astronomy, Science Education, Learning Motivation, Case Studies, Technological Advancement, Learning Modalities, Sensory Experience, Technology Integration, Computer Uses in Education, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Asia
DOI: 10.1080/10494820.2024.2446536
ISSN: 1049-4820
1744-5191
Abstract: This investigation delineates the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) educational games on middle school students' learning outcomes and motivational dynamics within an astronomy context. Utilizing "Physics Lab VR," a case study approach compared the efficacy of VR learning against traditional classroom methods and tablet-based instruction. Quantitative analyses, encompassing pre-test and post-test measures, were complemented by qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews to assess both the cognitive and affective dimensions of learning. Results indicated that VR significantly enhances students' understanding of complex astronomical concepts, as evidenced by superior post-test performance in the VR group. Furthermore, VR educational games markedly improved students' intrinsic motivation by fulfilling psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness more effectively than conventional teaching methods. Despite the positive outcomes, challenges related to the integration of VR in educational settings, including technological accessibility and curriculum alignment, were identified. The study underscores the potential of VR educational games to transform learning experiences by making abstract concepts accessible and engaging, though it also emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to overcome implementation barriers.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502121
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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IllustrationInfo
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  Label: Title
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  Data: Exploring the Motivational Factors and Learning Outcomes of Virtual Reality Educational Games for Middle School Students: A Unity 3D Case Study
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  Label: Language
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  Data: English
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  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jun+Li%22">Jun Li</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4951-8513">0009-0003-4951-8513</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xuan+Zhang%22">Xuan Zhang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9856-1812">0009-0001-9856-1812</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xiao+Chen+Liu%22">Xiao Chen Liu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7153-8436">0009-0001-7153-8436</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Interactive+Learning+Environments%22"><i>Interactive Learning Environments</i></searchLink>. 2025 33(5):3593-3613.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 21
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Middle+School+Students%22">Middle School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Simulation%22">Computer Simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Games%22">Educational Games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Game+Based+Learning%22">Game Based Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Astronomy%22">Astronomy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Education%22">Science Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Motivation%22">Learning Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Case+Studies%22">Case Studies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technological+Advancement%22">Technological Advancement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Modalities%22">Learning Modalities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sensory+Experience%22">Sensory Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Integration%22">Technology Integration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Uses+in+Education%22">Computer Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Asia%22">Asia</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1080/10494820.2024.2446536
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1049-4820<br />1744-5191
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This investigation delineates the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) educational games on middle school students' learning outcomes and motivational dynamics within an astronomy context. Utilizing "Physics Lab VR," a case study approach compared the efficacy of VR learning against traditional classroom methods and tablet-based instruction. Quantitative analyses, encompassing pre-test and post-test measures, were complemented by qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews to assess both the cognitive and affective dimensions of learning. Results indicated that VR significantly enhances students' understanding of complex astronomical concepts, as evidenced by superior post-test performance in the VR group. Furthermore, VR educational games markedly improved students' intrinsic motivation by fulfilling psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness more effectively than conventional teaching methods. Despite the positive outcomes, challenges related to the integration of VR in educational settings, including technological accessibility and curriculum alignment, were identified. The study underscores the potential of VR educational games to transform learning experiences by making abstract concepts accessible and engaging, though it also emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to overcome implementation barriers.
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  Data: 2026
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1502121
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        Value: 10.1080/10494820.2024.2446536
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 3593
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Middle School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Simulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Games
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      – SubjectFull: Game Based Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Astronomy
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      – SubjectFull: Science Education
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Motivation
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      – SubjectFull: Case Studies
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      – SubjectFull: Technological Advancement
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Modalities
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      – SubjectFull: Sensory Experience
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      – SubjectFull: Technology Integration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Uses in Education
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Asia
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring the Motivational Factors and Learning Outcomes of Virtual Reality Educational Games for Middle School Students: A Unity 3D Case Study
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            NameFull: Xuan Zhang
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            NameFull: Xiao Chen Liu
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              Y: 2025
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