[DC] Multicultural Learning in Virtual Reality to Promote Global Citizenship Education

Due to the pandemic, we have become more reliant on digital technologies in every aspect of our lives. This has led to an increasing interest in teaching and training students and employees using immersive technologies and increasing multicultural learning and digital literacies in schools. This research-creation Ph.D. study aims to advance the understanding of the impact of interactive virtual reality non-fiction (VRNF) narratives as experiential learning tools to promote global citizenship education and to counter radicalization among high school and university students. The researcher will explore the effect of interactive VRNF narratives on open-mindedness trait and intercultural communication competence as moderators for multicultural learning in VR. This study also seeks to design and evaluate a VRNF narrative based on educators'/creators' feedback and contribution. This narrative will reflect a personal journey of multicultural learning in the Canadian context. A mixed method approach will be used: Delphi interview method and quasi-experimental study to examine the effects of interactivity and immersion on narrative transportation and user engagement. Results and recommendations will then be reported for further research and implementation.