Effectiveness of virtual & augmented reality learning environments in enhancing students' self-efficacy

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the effects of Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality (VAR) learning environments on students’ academic performance and self-efficacy (SE). In the study, SE was measured across three dimensions, course-specific SE, content-specific SE, and problem-specific SE. VAR simulations were used to teach engineering students about engineering applications, helping learners grasp abstract engineering concepts and gain hands-on experience. Quantitative data on students’ academic performance and SE were collected using Likert questionnaires administered before and after the VAR teaching activities. Focus group discussions were conducted as a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of student’s overall learning experience in the VAR environment. The results have shown that VAR learning activities had a positive effect on students’ academic performance and SE. Across the three SE dimensions, problem-specific SE had the greatest improvement. The implications of the results are then discussed for further research in the field of the application of VAR in education.Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering