Virtual reality and education

Five components of the virtual reality (VR) concept are analytically defined: 3-D perspective, dynamic rendering, closed loop interaction, inside-out perspective, and enhanced sensory feedback. It is argued on the basis of empirical data from a variety of sources that those components that improve performance by reducing effort may actually inhibit learning or long term retention. Closed loop interaction in contrast, while not reducing effort, appears to have a beneficial effect on retention. The importance for learning of directing users attention to the link between the VR perspective and a more artificial perspective is also highlighted