Analyzing Student Performance in Heterogeneous Higher Education Instructional Design Courses using Virtual Reality integration

Researchers continued a study from 2022 which examined the effects of student performance in a higher education Instructional Design online class when integrating virtual reality into its curriculum. In this new 2023 study, they utilized the same quantitative analysis of course evaluation data and grades, and qualitative methods, including student-student communication and open-ended student surveys to measure VRs effect on grades, course satisfaction, and feelings about performance. However, researchers also compared the racial and gender data of participants, noting that participants from the current 2023 study were less heterogenous in their makeup regarding race. During their examination of the qualitative data from current participants, the researchers identified themes, such as accessibility, cognitive load, and application when students specifically discussed VR. Quantitative results indicated a decrease in student grades and course satisfaction, which prompted researchers to delve into further questioning about the students’ background and their use of VR.