Age and technology: Adult learning performance in desktop virtual reality environments

The research project was conducted by the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS) and the Occupational Education virtual reality research team at Oklahoma State University with the purpose of the learning effects of desktop virtual reality (VR) in college and technical training. Participants were from the UAFS two year surgical Technicians program and students from a career tech center. The paper presents findings from a five-year program of research on desktop virtual reality (VR) in college and technical education and describes what the research team has discovered to be important factors in its successful implementation. It defines desktop VR, outlines theoretical and empirical foundations for desktop VR research, summarizes important findings from research on desktop VR in technical education, and draws conclusions regarding implementation and further research in this field.