The effect of VR-Based learning media on understanding the digital economy foundation of vocational students

This study aims to determine the influence of virtual reality (VR)-based digital literacy simulation learning media on the understanding of the foundation of the digital economy for vocational students. Digital literacy is a compulsory course at one of the universities in Surabaya, which discusses information and communication technology materials that are the foundation of the digital economy. The research design used is ex-post facto by utilizing independent variables, which include SITT and VRP. To determine the influence of independent variables on the understanding of the foundation of the digital economy, the VDL intervening variable is needed. Meanwhile, the understanding of the foundation of the digital economy is a dependent variable and is notated as UDFE. The data collection process is carried out through an explanation stage to vocational students about information and communication technology as a foundation that supports the development of the digital economy. The next stage is for vocational students to utilize VR-based digital literacy simulation learning media equipped with information and communication technology learning content. In the final stage, students gave survey answers according to the variables of this study. The respondents of the study were vocational students, totaling 300 students. The data obtained from the survey results was processed using SEM PLS to find out the variables that can have a positive influence on the understanding of the foundation of the digital economy of vocational students. The results of the analysis showed that the SITT variable and the VRP variable could positively affect the understanding of the foundation of the digital economy of vocational students by 24.8% and 19.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, the VDLL intervening variable had the most significant positive influence of 57.1%. The results of this study show that the use of VR-based digital literacy simulation learning media has a very positive effect on the understanding of the foundation of the digital economy of vocational students. This study recommends that VR can be used as a dual learning tool to improve student understanding.