Implementing Immersive Virtual Reality in an Aviation/Aerospace Teaching and Learning Paradigm

The ubiquity of computing technology has revolutionized the workplace and has also had a significant impact on education. The use of interactive simulations based on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) has gained wide acceptance and become a prominent mechanism for learning to occur. Interactive simulations may afford unique learning advantages revealed as effective knowledge retention and skill transfer when information is presented using multi-modal sensory approach. The goal of VR is to create an environment that mimics real world complexities; one that offers comparable stimuli in the virtual environment (VE) to elicit cognitive and psychomotor behavior in the learner, similar to those elicited when performing the same function in the live-task environment. To be effective, practitioners must understand the fundamental elements of cognition and knowledge construction. VE designs must be grounded in theoretical learning constructs to accentuate the cognitive learning process. As part of a cooperative research project within the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, we present our research in developing a highly-immersive, state-of-the-art VR laboratory to train students on complex flight aviation and maintenance related tasks. Development for VR applications is underway as a proof of concept test bed. The lab also supports an F/A-18 Hornet VR part-task trainer that simulates the aerial refueling process; a Head Mounted Display (HMD) enhances fidelity and training realism. Spaceflight Operations students regularly utilize a VR experience of the International Space Station (ISS), Mission ISS, to explore spaceflight concepts often reserved for astronauts