Climate change is a nuanced global issue with a scope that is often difficult to fully appreciate. This study examined an undergraduate course focused on the impacts and responses to climate change on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA. The course utilized a socioscientific issues (SSI) approach to examine global climate change in a local…

Animal dissections have long been central to anatomy and physiology education, despite their costs, safety issues, and ethical concerns. Alternatives like computer-based simulations and synthetic models often fail to replicate the authentic experience of live dissections. Virtual reality (VR) offers an immersive, interactive alternative that…

In this article, we preliminarily discuss the limitations of current video conferencing platforms in online synchronous learning. Research has shown that while the involved technologies are appropriate for collaborative video calls, they often fail to replicate the rich nature of face-to-face interactions among students and between students and…

Extended reality (XR) technologies can bring immersive learning experiences into the classroom, and pre-service teachers need to be prepared to use them for that to happen. As a first step, it is important to contextualize and understand pre-service teachers' experiences and beliefs about these technologies. In response, this mixed methods study…

There is a pervasive belief that immersive virtual reality (imVR) holds transformative implications for almost all technology-mediated human activities, including the sphere of education. Given this context, it becomes essential to comprehend the impact it exerts on learning, in addition to ascertaining whether it positively affects factors that…

This exploratory study, framed by the Contextual Model of Learning, sought to define the personal context of autistic visitors and their families attending a sensory-friendly natural history museum event as a science learning experience. The study focused on the motivations and expectations for visiting the museum, as well as how the inclusion of…

In recent years, first responders have faced increasing challenges in their operations, highlighting a growing need for specialized and comprehensive training. In particular, the firefighting incident commanders (ICs) are playing a pivotal role, providing directions to field operators and making critical decisions in emergency situations. Over…

Virtual Reality (VR) has been utilized in foreign language education for over 50 years, and it has gone through four distinct stages in foreign language education: Two-dimensional (2D) text-based VR, three-dimensional (3D) desktop-based VR, 3D HMD-based VR, and AI-enhanced 3D HMD-based VR. Drawing on relevant studies and examples, this article…

Purpose: The increasing prevalence of dementia poses significant challenges for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who often lack specialized training in addressing degenerative disorders. Simulations can offer students a safe and standardized environment to develop essential skills. This study evaluated whether the Virtual Dementia Tour, a…

Simulated learning experiences (SLEs) are becoming increasingly popular in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) training programs. This pilot study examines the relative effectiveness of delivering a SLE via standard computer or using virtual reality headsets for a more immersive learning experience. Seventy undergraduate CSD students were…

This study was conducted in the laboratory and Metaverse environment with "Acids-Bases," a science subject related to the Metaverse, one of today's technologies. In line with the purpose of the research, the embedded design of the mixed research method, which combined quantitative and qualitative research methods, was used. The…

The metaverse has gained considerable attention and enormous investments in recent years and is increasingly recognized as a critical domain for future interactions and communications. Despite its growing importance, there is a notable lack of research on metaverse literacy, especially in education and training. This study aims to conceptualize…

Online virtual worlds have increasingly become meeting places for students and teachers to discuss and collaborate on diverse academic subjects and practices. Furthermore, in response to the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, there has also been a heightened drive to provide online educational facilities that harness immersive virtual environments…

Gaining adequate on-farm experience can be difficult for students due to limited resources, time, and strict biosecurity protocols. This study assessed university student perceptions of the usability of a virtual reality (VR) farm tour focused on swine or dairy farming. Seventy-one participants experienced a VR farm tour. After completing the…

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has enabled the creation of digital human instructors with human-like visual and verbal characteristics. This study investigates the impact of human likeness on learner satisfaction within e-learning environments, drawing on the "Uncanny Valley" theory and the Experience…