The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to examine differences in college-level math students' self-efficacy attributable to recent use of virtual reality (VR) learning environments and processes. The theoretical foundation for this study included connectivism, multi-dimensionalism and social cognitive theory, and self-efficacy…

Simulation-based medical education (SBME) is a proven instructional method for increasing knowledge gains in medical learners. However, it is difficulty to implement because of cost, technical considerations, and issues of accessibility. This experimental, mixed-methods study of senior-level nursing students sought to understand what impact an…

Caring is considered a paradigm embodied by the profession of nursing. Caring behaviors of nurses therefore, becomes a fundamental component of everyday nursing practice. Despite this accepted reality of caring in nursing, little research has focused on how to teach caring behaviors to nursing students. The purpose of this quasi-experimental…

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of virtual reality training on the development of cognitive memory and handgun accuracy by law enforcement neophytes. One hundred and six academy students from 6 different academy classes were divided into two groups, experimental and control. The experimental group was exposed to virtual…

The effectiveness of using virtual labs to train students in computer networking skills, when real equipment is limited or unavailable, is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using virtual labs to train students in the acquisition of computer network configuration and troubleshooting skills. The study was…

This study examined how desktop virtual reality environment training (DVRET) affected state anxiety and vocational identity of vocational rehabilitation services consumers during job placement/job readiness activities. It utilized a quantitative research model with a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design plus some qualitative descriptive…

The population of English Language Learners (ELLs) globally has been increasing substantially every year. In the United States alone, adult ELLs are the fastest growing portion of learners in adult education programs (Yang, 2005). There is a significant need to improve the teaching of English to ELLs in the United States and other English-speaking…

This research explores the role of affect in the domain of human wayfinding by asking if increased motivation will alter the performance across various routes of increasing complexity. Participants were asked to perform certain navigation tasks within an indoor Virtual Reality (VR) environment under either motivated and not-motivated instructions.…

Online education has grown into a part of the educational market answering the demand for learning at the learner's choice of time and place. Inquiry skills such as observing, questioning, collecting data, and devising fair experiments are an essential element of 21st-century online science coursework. Virtual immersive worlds such as Second Life…

The purpose of this comparative experimental project was to compare the impact of simulation-based learning experiences to traditional clinical rotations on critical thinking acquisition of associate nursing students within a maternal-child course. Innovative pedagogies have been integrated in nursing programs to augment inadequate clinical…

Virtual laboratory experiments using interactive computer simulations are not being employed as viable alternatives to laboratory science curriculum at extensive enough rates within higher education. Rote traditional lab experiments are currently the norm and are not addressing inquiry, Critical Thinking, and cognition throughout the laboratory…

The ever increasing popularity of virtual worlds, also known as 3-D multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) or simply virtual worlds provides language instructors with a new tool they can exploit in their courses. For now, "Second Life" is one of the most popular MUVEs used for teaching and learning, and although "Second Life"…

The focal goal of this research was to extend the empirical effort on business simulations as a form of experiential learning by providing the first empirical analysis of business acumen and knowledge application skills. Disruptions in technology are providing more opportunities to improve the simulation gaming learning experience and a number of…

Many university administrators are unaware of the increasing use of computer technologies for educating employees. This study explored higher education administrators' perceptions of computer technology for university administrator learning. A treatment group of UC Berkeley administrative employees was assigned to use an online simulation; a…

High fidelity simulation is a well documented adjunctive teaching method in medical and nurse practitioner programs, but few studies of effectiveness on this technology on the development of competency have emphasized pre-licensure associate degree level programs. This study explored student competency in the application of the nursing process…