As the number of STEM opportunities and the need for a scientifically literate society increases, educators in STEM fields require tools that help support these needs. Chemistry is one STEM content area that would benefit from exploring educational technology that supports conceptual understanding. An action research study was conducted to…

The topic for this study was police cadet perceptions of learning using video simulators. The main research question for this project was: "How are video simulators perceived by police cadets as a learning method at the police academy?" The participants for this qualitative study were 16 recently graduated police cadets from an anonymous…

While important to many employers, a college degree does not necessarily indicate graduates' skills and competencies. Colleges need a more updated model that will allow students to acquire 21st-century workforce skills and help showcase and verify their competencies to potential employers. Digital badging emerges as a promising solution to help…

This study investigates the role of Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in facilitating Transformative Experiences (TE) and enhancing everyday engagement with learning. Using the Teaching for Transformative Experiences in Science (TTES) model, this research integrates IVR's unique affordances--presence and agency--to examine how immersive learning…

As the number and complexity of instructional tools have increased, universities have rapidly adapted to ensure their students have the necessary tools and resources for academic success (Rafi et al., 2014; Rafi et al., 2020). One of these adaptations has been the creation of virtual learning platforms using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. This…

With a recent interest in virtual reality, educators have begun to explore how using technology can mitigate feelings of Foreign Language Anxiety, or FLA. For this dissertation, the author has co-created a virtual reality conversation scenario to test with novice and intermediate-level Spanish students at the University of Wyoming. The research…

Online courses include the design for student interaction to support effective learning. Studies have shown that online discussion boards are a useful option to engage students. However, with new emerging digital technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), the question remains to what extent or in what ways these immersive technologies can be used…

This applied dissertation was designed to investigate student responses to three different instructional strategies used to fulfill level I fieldwork requirements: traditional in-clinic rotation, a combination of virtual simulation and traditional in-clinic rotations, and virtual simulation. A multi-decade occupational therapy (OT) fieldwork…

College recreation programs are an ideal way for students to participate in physical activity while on campus. These programs can offer a diverse range of opportunities for individuals to participate in various sport and fitness activities. By integrating virtual reality (VR) technology these programs expand their offerings and allow students to…

Both fashion design and education are areas where new technologies can have a significant impact. This dissertation examines the potential of virtual reality (VR) for fashion design education and focused on the profound affordances that virtual reality offers - immersion and agency. Using a phenomenological approach, the study combined arts-based…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to explore how recent nursing graduates understand and describe their online clinical experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine perceptions of the impact on their preparedness for transitioning into professional practice. The problem addressed was the closure of clinical sites to…

With virtual reality (VR) tools becoming increasingly prevalent in K-12 schools today, educators now possess the means to transport students to digitally simulated times and places without ever leaving the classroom. However, current application of this experiential technology is in its nascent stage and subsequent research is often limited to…

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) as an educational tool is gaining attention due to its potential to provide immersive and authentic learning experiences. However, most schools cannot afford to provide individual access to VR, making VR-mediated group learning a promising solution for those with limited access to educational resources. Despite its…

There have been few, if any, metacognitive studies conducted on what community college students think about their learning when augmented reality technology is introduced to the learning environment. This qualitative collective case study looked at how emerging technologies, specifically augmented reality, within a community college classroom…

The purpose of this three-article dissertation is to better understand the role emerging technologies are playing in learning. This dissertation explores tools on a spectrum of reality from fully immersive virtual reality (VR), semi-immersive VR, non-immersive VR, augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR). Three studies…