Development and Usability Evaluation of VR Educational Content for Disaster Safety Education to Enhance Fire Evacuation Skills of Students with Developmental Disabilities

This study aimed to develop safety education VR content to enhance fire evacuation skills for students with developmental disabilities and validate its usability through evaluation.The research was conducted based on the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), which provided a systematic framework for the development process.The VR content was designed considering the cognitive and physical characteristics of students with developmental disabilities, focusing on immersive learning environments for classroom fire evacuation scenarios.By utilizing VR technology, the content simulated realistic fire situations, offering students opportunities for repetitive practice and hands-on training.Additionally, game-based elements were incorporated to increase engagement and motivation during the learning process.The usability evaluation was conducted with 26 special education teachers, and the results showed high scores of learning effectiveness, engagement, and sense of realism.Notably, the content demonstrated educational utility by enabling learners to acquire practical skills applicable to real-life situations.This study presents a new direction for disaster safety education for students with disabilities.It highlights the potential of VR technology as an effective tool in safety education.Further research should focus on developing customized content tailored to various disability types and improving the accessibility of VR devices.This study is expected to contribute to improving the quality of life for students with disabilities and fostering a safer social environment.