Examining Student Response to Virtual Reality in Education and Training Virtual reality (VR) allows users to experience a virtual world in 3D by wearing a headset. This headset includes a screen and lenses to produce this effect. This study uses VR in a training context to test if the quality of preparation for laboratories in engineering education can be improved. A virtual version of a secondyear engineering lab was created to teach students the fundamental concepts involved, such that they are more prepared for the real lab. Unity was used to create the application, Blender was used to model the equipment, and Substance Painter was used to texture the models. Engineering students were tested before and after training, and their learning improvement measured. These students were split into two sets; the first used the VR, the second used the traditional briefing sheet. All students also answered a questionnaire to reflect their feelings on their given system of work. Students consistently showed a better improvement and therefore understanding of the lab when using VR. It was also seen that students gave more positive answers for the VR than for the briefing sheet in the questionnaire.

Was It Real?  The Effects of Virtual Reality Communication Skills Training Among University Students in India Virtual Reality (VR) technology enables students to be trained in new behaviour in an authentic and situated learning context. The pilot study investigated the effects of a scaffolded fiveminutes 360degree videobased VR training on communication skills, achievement emotions and motivation among university students in India. The results of an experimental trial with repeated measures show, except for a slight rise in positive emotions for the control group, no significant differences in the VRcondition. Nevertheless, students are highly convinced that VRtraining has the potential to improve their academic skills and performance. High acceptance of VRbased education and the potential to replace real education settings at university level were observed.