VR for student orientation

my note: the LITA publication about the Emporia State University (see below) pursues the same goals of the project two SCSU librarians, Susan Hubbs, MLIS, and Plamen Miltenoff, Ph.D. MLIS, have developed:

This library orientation was an improved version of Plamen Miltenoff’s 2014-2016 research project with numerous national and international publications and presentations: https://web.stcloudstate.edu/pmiltenoff/bi/
E.g.:
Miltenoff, P. (2018). AR, VR, and Video 360: Toward New Realities in Education by Plamen Miltenoff. In J.-P. Van Arnhem, C. Elliott, & M. Rose (Eds.), Augmented and Virtual Reality in Libraries. Retrieved from https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538102909
https://www.slideshare.net/aidemoreto/video-360-in-the-library
https://www.slideshare.net/aidemoreto/scsu-augmented-reality-library-tour-122152539
https://www.slideshare.net/aidemoreto/vr-library
https://www.slideshare.net/aidemoreto/intro-to-xr-in-libraries-137315988
https://www.slideshare.net/aidemoreto/xr-mission-possible
https://www.slideshare.net/aidemoreto/library-technology-conference-2018
and the upcoming LITA workshops:
http://www.ala.org/lita/virtual-reality-augmented-reality-mixed-reality-and-academic-library

Virtual Reality as a Tool for Student Orientation in Distance Education Programs

A Study of New Library and Information Science Students

ABSTRACT

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a popular technology for gaming and learning, with its uses for teaching presently being investigated in a variety of educational settings. However, one area where the effect of this technology on students has not been examined in detail is as tool for new student orientation in colleges and universities. This study investigates this effect using an experimental methodology and the population of new master of library science (MLS) students entering a library and information science (LIS) program. The results indicate that students who received a VR orientation expressed more optimistic views about the technology, saw greater improvement in scores on an assessment of knowledge about their program and chosen profession, and saw a small decrease in program anxiety compared to those who received the same information as standard text-and-links. The majority of students also indicated a willingness to use VR technology for learning for long periods of time (25 minutes or more). The researchers concluded that VR may be a useful tool for increasing student engagement, as described by Game Engagement Theory.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Brady Lund, Emporia State University

Brady Lund is a doctoral student at Emporia State University’s School of Library and Information Management, where he studies the intersection of information technology and information science, among other topics.

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