Can't Touch this? Why Vibrotactile Feedback Matters in Educational VR

This study investigates the relationship between vibrotactile feedback and sense of presence in VR. The inquiry focuses on corrective and reenforcing feedback in STEM learning outcomes using a VR environment called Looking Inside Cells. In a randomized within-subject design experiment (N=68) participants got assigned to a vibrotactile and non-vibrotactile condition. Our hypotheses: Participants in the vibrotactile-condition report higher sense of presence ratings compared to the non-haptic condition. Results indicate that vibrotactile feedback increases the sense of presence and impacts metacognition. Participants who received corrective feedback as a vibrotactile stimuli are more likely to underestimate their actual test performance.