Learning about complex environmental processes in immersive and non-immersive virtual environments

这项拟议的研究试图了解沉浸式虚拟环境何时以及是否使学生更容易理解复杂的生态过程，而不是他们可以从桌面模拟和其他体验中学到的东西。身临其境和非身临其境的学习材料将根据PRISM项目开发的数据库和模型制作。这个项目模拟了普吉特湾的环境相互作用。指导这个项目的框架是建立在对VES的三个属性的理解的基础上的；它们在用户中诱导“存在”的能力；它们支持与物体的广泛的、自然的交互的能力；以及它们使感官能够接触到通常无法检测到的事件。VES的这些特性有可能支持建构主义的教学方法，从而帮助学生建立科学正确的科学现象心理模型。本研究将主要针对大学年龄的学生。然而，在研究的后半部分，他们将包括高三学生。

The proposed research seeks to understand when and if immersive virtual environments make it easier for students to understand complex ecological processes compared to what they can learn from desktop simulations and other experiences. The immersive and non-immersive learning materials will be built from databases and models developed by the PRISM project. This project models environmental interactions in the Puget Sound.The framework that guides this project is built from an understanding of three properties of VEs; their ability to induce "presence" in users; their ability to support extensive, natural interactions with objects; and thier ability to make accessible to the senses events that are normally undetectable. These properties of VEs have the potential of supporting constructivist approaches to teaching and learning and thus helping students develop scientifically correct mental models of scientific phenomena.The study will focus primarily on college age students. However, in the latter part of the study, they will include high school seniors.