A Virtual Playground for the Study of the Role of Interactivity in Virtual Learning Environments

Interactivity is regarded as one of the core components of a successful Virtual Reality experience, and is promoted widely for its effectiveness, motivational impact, and significance for learning. The research described in this paper sets out to explore learner interaction in immersive Virtual Environments, focusing on the role and the effect of interactivity on learning and conceptual change. In order to examine this relationship, different environments (immersive and interactive, immersive but passive, and non-virtual) have been designed to support a set of tasks for primary school students between 8 and 12 years old. The tasks are constructive by nature, including such things as the assembly of columns from parts or the re-design of a playground, and require performing mathematical calculations. A set of qualitative observations have been made on a case-by-case basis, while the analysis is continuing to look at the various elements that form the complex relationship between interactivity and learning. Keywords--Virtual Reality and Education, Interactivity, Evaluation.