Virtual and augmented (VAR) technology is in the early stages of being adopted as a teaching platform in higher education. The technology can facilitate immersive learning in environments that are not usually physically accessible to students via 3D models and interactive 360° videos. To date, adoption rates of VAR technology for teaching have not…

Extended reality (XR)--a wide range of technologies along a continuum, with the real world at one end and fully immersive simulations at the other--is having a dramatic impact on pedagogy in higher education. To explore the potential of XR technologies in higher education, EDUCAUSE and HP collaborated on the Campus of the Future: 3D Technologies…

In this paper we present our experiences of teaching an annually organized virtual reality (VR) capstone course. We review three iterations of the course, during which a total of 45 students completed the course and 16 VR applications were implemented. Our comparative analysis describes the students' evaluation of the course, the applications…

There has been a significant gap between the tools used for the design of a building's architectural form and those that evaluate the structural physics of that form. Seeking to bring the perspectives of visual design and structural engineering closer together, we developed and evaluated a design tool for students and practitioners to explore the…

These proceedings contain the papers of the 14th International Conference on e-Learning (EL 2020), which was organised by the International Association for Development of the Information Society, July 21-23, 2020. This conference is part of the 14th Multi Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems 2020, July 21-25, which had a total of…

hapTEL, an interdisciplinary project funded by two UK research councils from 2007 to 2011, involves a large interdisciplinary team (with undergraduate and post-graduate student participants) which has been developing and evaluating a virtual learning system within an HE healthcare education setting, working on three overlapping strands. Strand 1…

Three examples of genetics and evolution simulation concerning Mendelian inheritance, genetic mapping, and natural selection are used to illustrate the use of simulations in modeling scientific/natural processes. First described is the HERED series, which illustrates such phenomena as incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, lethal alleles,…

Microcomputer simulations in evaluation research are useful for (1) improving student understanding of research principles and analytic techniques; (2) investigating problems arising in research implementations; and (3) exploring the accuracy and utility of novel analytic techniques. This article describes these simulation uses for the context of…

Background: The literature on immersive virtual worlds and e-learning to date largely indicates that technology has led the pedagogy. Although rationales for implementing e-learning have included flexibility of provision and supporting diversity, none of these recommendations has helped to provide strong pedagogical location. Furthermore, there is…

This report focuses on the field testing of a recently developed self-administered microcomputer-based teaching simulation. Training-partner teacher educators from four Virginia institutions used the self-administered teaching simulation at their home sites. The educators used the simulation in a variety of ways: (1) to help education students…

Examined effectiveness and subjective enjoyment of a computer-assisted instruction program to teach neophyte counselors classic methods of psychotherapy. Students compared their responses in a simulated dialog with a client, with those of classic therapists. Questionnaires, knowledge tests, and students' choices of counseling styles provided…

Studies the perceived effectiveness of four student projects involving videotape production, computer conferencing, microcomputer simulation, and rapid-cycling Brassica breeding for undergraduate plant breeding students in two course offerings in consecutive years. Linking of the computer conferencing and video projects improved the rating of the…

This project originated with the desire to offer general biology students a laboratory experience which emphasizes scientific thinking rather than a review of lecture content. To create investigative laboratories without many of the practical problems of their implementation, this project uses a combination of "methods modules" for…

These proceedings contain 75 papers from information sessions that address important human factors in distance education from several perspectives, including implementation planning, management and policy, instructional design, teaching methods, faculty development, learning environments, learner supports, and evaluation. Among the papers are:…