Presence and Reflection in Training: Support for Learning to Improve Quality Decision-Making Skills under Time Limitations

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) has been used for some time for training various skills. The results obtained are generally very reassuring, suggesting that Virtual Environments (VEs) are an effective new kind of educational tool. There are some, however, who argue that there are cases in which a 2D approach would achieve the same training effect. The literature suggests that the key features that distinguish VR from other training approaches is the sense of presence, which provides a first-person experience of the world. Usually, real world learning is multisensory and gives ownership and control over the experience, increases learner motivation, and triggers the construction of knowledge. Despite technical limitations, a VE is the most effective form of information technology for providing multisensory experience including visual, auditory, and to some extend haptic and tactile cues. The sense of presence ensures that the perceived experience is interpreted as being real and makes it likely that skills learned in the VE will be transferred to the real world. We argue that for training time-limited decision-making skills, the learner should also have an opportunity to reflect on actions/strategies to improve performance. Therefore a virtual environment for training should also provide support for students to reflect on their performance. This paper describes a prototype training system that aims to support both construction of knowledge and cognitive learning. It is also intended to trigger a sense of presence as well as provide support mechanisms, not available in the real world, that the students can exercise to reflect on the training experience.

Virtual Reality and its Influence on Training and Education - Literature Review

“…It is important for the emotional state to be invoked during training and it should be as close to emotional state trainees would confront during and actual operation as possible, because of the strong effect of emotions on decision-making, learning and problemsolving [74]. Similar research suggests that virtual training for action forces such as military or fire fighters should provide first-person experiences and situated learning without time for conscious thoughts, but with the possibility of gaining knowledge [63]. The levels of immersion or presence in the virtual environment seem to be crucial for the development of first-person experiences and the knowledge gained is then "direct, personal, subjective and often tacit" and can be transferred to the real world [75].…”

“…VR is also widely used in ergonomic applications, where workplaces are constructed virtually with the help of simulator softwares such as Tecnomatix Jack or DELMIA5 [62], than they can analyzed to make specific changes in the real workplace environment. Often VR training is the only option that is possible [63]. Some studies suggest that virtual training environments can be used successfully for training specific skills, such as spatial perception, route learning or the reactions in certain emergency situations [61] [64][65] [66].…”

Cyber Sickness in Virtual Reality - Literature Review

“…Thus, if the situation doesn't predispose for real life training practice due to danger, cost or effort, emergency service personnel can profit from virtual training to train for scenarios in real environment [18]. Often VR training is the only option that is possible [19]. And in order to make complex VR applications/simulations, some authors suggest methodologies for designing VR applications [20].…”

Possibilities and Determinants of Using Low-Cost Devices in Virtual Education Applications

“…However, to ensure faithful reflection of reality, it is necessary to involve a user's many senses, not only vision. It is possible to achieve a state of profound submergence described as immersion (Romano & Brna, 2001) by means of appropriate combination of a variety of VR devices, such as automatic positioning and orientation systems, with pre-programmed virtual worlds. In the process of using VR simulation as a tool in training, in which a trainee's involvement is of great importance, this sensation of immersion is vitally important.…”