Virtual Reality as a Learning Venue for Basic Vocational Training: Action Competence through Immersive Learning Experiences
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Profile
- Project leadership
- Martin Berger (PHZH)
- Organisational unit
- A-S2 (Sekundarstufe II Berufsbildung)
- Project phase
- Completed (1.7.2021 – 30.9.2022)
- Project type
- Research & development project
- Funding
- Digitalization Initiative
- Participating institutions
- ZHAW School of Management and Law, Institut für Wirtschaftsinformatik; ZHAW School of Engineering; EIT.swiss; EZB; bandara VR GmbH; Helvetas
Description
The project is part of the Digitalization Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions (DIZH). For further informations see dizh.ch/en.
Project outcomes
The project examines the potential of virtual reality as a learning technology in vocational education programmes. Using the methodology of design-based research, a generic VR learning environment for basic vocational training is developed, evaluated and implemented.
The so-called “initial inspection” of electrical installations is a core competence of electricians. However, it is difficult to create learning settings that are adequate for teaching the related skills – a fact reflected in the less than stellar results achieved by apprentices on practical exams for their professional qualification. An interdisciplinary innovation project run by PH Zurich and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) is addressing this problem and exploring the potential that virtual reality (VR) systems have for helping learners develop professional competencies; the initial examination for electrical installations was used as an exemplary setting. In the project, the prototype of a VR learning environment for vocational trainees in the electrical industry was developed, and a field study was conducted to evaluate the tool. The results indicate that the technology has the potential to promote learning in vocational training programmes.
The VR learning environment developed for the project was then made available to apprentices, who wore VR goggles to practise testing an electrical installation in a virtual garage. In the field study, researchers compared the performance of 68 Swiss trainee electricians and assembly electricians in the last year of their apprenticeships before and after exam preparation: 35 learners used the VR tool to prepare for the practical examination, and 33 learners prepared using standard learning methods. The results showed that future assembly electricians in particular benefited from the VR tool: compared to the learners in the control group, they attained almost a whole grade higher on their final examination.
The project was supported by DIZH. The firm Bandara is currently further developing the prototype of the VR learning environment for more than 300 trainees.