Interactivity and conceptual learning in virtual environments for children

ABSTRACT

The topic of this doctoral research is to investigate user interaction in Virtual Environments (VEs), focusing on the role of interactivity in learning through Virtual Reality (VR) technology. The intention is to examine how interaction and conceptual learning are related in the context of virtual environments developed in informal educational settings. In order to study this, a set of exploratory studies was carried out with children aged 7-12. The children were asked to complete tasks, such as the assembly of ancient columns from parts, which were designed to promote constructivist learning. Their interaction in the VE was analyzed using an Activity Theory framework [1],[2]. The result of this analysis has informed the design of the main studies, which is currently underway.

REFERENCES

• 1: Barab, S.A., Hay, K.E., and Barnett, M.G., "Virtual solar system project: Building understanding through model building", Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, Canada, AERA (1999).
• 2: Bonnie A. Nardi, Context and consciousness: activity theory and human-computer interaction, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 1995
• 3: Maria Roussou, Learning by doing and learning through play: an exploration of interactivity in virtual environments for children, Computers in Entertainment (CIE), v.2 n.1, January 2004 [doi>10.1145/973801.973818]

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

Keywords:
education, interactivity, user interaction, virtual reality