an understanding of how to harness the emotional appeal of e-learning tools is a central issue for learning and instruction, since research shows that initial situ-ational interest can be a first step in promoting learning
several educational theories that describe the affective, emotional, and motivational factors that play a role in multimedia learning which are relevant for understanding the role of immersion in VR learning environments.

the cognitive-affective theory of learning with media (Moreno and
Mayer 2007),

and

the integrated cognitive affective model of learning with multimedia
(ICALM; Plass and Kaplan 2016)

control-value theory of achievement emotion CVTAE
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-09239-007

Presence, intrinsic motivation, enjoyment, and control and active learning are the affective factors used in this study. defintions

The sample consisted of 104 students (39 females and 65 males; average age =23.8 years)
from a large European university.

immersive VR (Samsung Gear VR with Samsung Galaxy S6) and
the desktop VR version of a virtual laboratory simulation (on a standard computer). The
participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the first used the immersive VR
followed by the desktop VR version, and the second used the two platforms in the opposite
sequence.

The VR learning simulation used in this experiment was developed by the company Labster and designed to facilitate learning within the field of biology at a university level. The VR simulation was based on a realistic murder case in which the participants were required to investigate a crime scene, collect blood samples and perform DNA analysis in a high-tech laboratory in order to identify and implicate the murderer

 we conclude that the emotional value of the immersive VR version of the learning simulation is significantly greater than the desktop VR version. This is a major empirical contribution of this study.