Effect of Physical Fidelity and Immersion Level on Learning Experiences and Outcomes in VR-Based Fire-Safety Education
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| Title: | Effect of Physical Fidelity and Immersion Level on Learning Experiences and Outcomes in VR-Based Fire-Safety Education |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Wenhao Li (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Educational Computing Research. 2026 64(5):1294-1322. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 29 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Computer Simulation, Computer Uses in Education, Sensory Experience, Student Experience, Difficulty Level, Cognitive Processes, Learning Motivation, Knowledge Level, Fire Protection, Safety Education, Program Effectiveness, College Students, Fidelity, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | China |
| DOI: | 10.1177/07356331261429313 |
| ISSN: | 0735-6331 1541-4140 |
| Abstract: | While virtual reality (VR) has great educational potential, current implementations predominantly emphasize audiovisual simulations, neglecting olfactory and haptic stimuli and thereby compromising the physical fidelity of VR learning environments. Meanwhile, conflicting findings on the impact of immersion level on learning outcomes, coupled with limited research exploring the interaction between physical fidelity and immersion level, have impeded the widespread adoption of VR in education. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of physical fidelity (multisensory stimuli vs. no multisensory stimuli) and immersion level (immersive VR vs. desktop VR) on learning experiences (cognitive load, learning motivation, and quality of experience) and outcomes (procedural, factual, and conceptual knowledge) in VR-based fire-safety education. A two-by-two factorial experiment was conducted with 120 Chinese university students. The results showed that multisensory stimuli significantly reduced the intrinsic cognitive load of learners. Immersive VR surpassed desktop VR for bolstering learning motivation, particularly in terms of attention, relevance, and satisfaction. Physical fidelity and immersion level have significant interaction effects on long-term retention of conceptual knowledge and satisfaction. Incorporating multisensory stimuli into immersive VR enhances the quality of experience. Our findings have significant implications and value for the application of multisensory stimuli and VR technology in education. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1506848 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | While virtual reality (VR) has great educational potential, current implementations predominantly emphasize audiovisual simulations, neglecting olfactory and haptic stimuli and thereby compromising the physical fidelity of VR learning environments. Meanwhile, conflicting findings on the impact of immersion level on learning outcomes, coupled with limited research exploring the interaction between physical fidelity and immersion level, have impeded the widespread adoption of VR in education. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of physical fidelity (multisensory stimuli vs. no multisensory stimuli) and immersion level (immersive VR vs. desktop VR) on learning experiences (cognitive load, learning motivation, and quality of experience) and outcomes (procedural, factual, and conceptual knowledge) in VR-based fire-safety education. A two-by-two factorial experiment was conducted with 120 Chinese university students. The results showed that multisensory stimuli significantly reduced the intrinsic cognitive load of learners. Immersive VR surpassed desktop VR for bolstering learning motivation, particularly in terms of attention, relevance, and satisfaction. Physical fidelity and immersion level have significant interaction effects on long-term retention of conceptual knowledge and satisfaction. Incorporating multisensory stimuli into immersive VR enhances the quality of experience. Our findings have significant implications and value for the application of multisensory stimuli and VR technology in education. |
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| ISSN: | 0735-6331 1541-4140 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/07356331261429313 |
