Collaborative learning in VR for cross-disciplinary distributed student teams

This paper discusses the use of virtual reality collaborative learning spaces for students working in cross-disciplinary groups across two geographically distant campuses. As part of the course, students worked in groups implementing educational VR tools, including the one used for collaboration. Each group had regular meetings in VR to collaborate with another group located in a different campus. Each group had to choose a topic, determine their team structure, define their communication methods and collaborate to implement VR-based tools both with their local group and their remote teammates in another campus. This paper reflects on the experience of collaborating in VR as part of the course, over a period of 2 years. The paper’s contribution is presenting the benefits and challenges for collaborative learning using the presented VR-based tools, including challenges with audio communication, socializing, VR interactions, and efficiency.