Expanding Protocols: Teaching Construction Through Immersive Virtual Learning Environments

Abstract

Extended Realities or XR has become an increased field of interest over the last decade. It is more accessible than ever, becoming an everyday component found in our homes, businesses and even our education. While there is still a lot of skepticism around the value of this technology, curiosity by many has allowed for different disciplines to embrace it. Its novelty has instigated new questions and spawned new methods of engagement. This paper discusses the use of this technology and documents the development of a proprietary virtual reality application. The application is used as a supplemental tool for teaching an introduction to construction course. Over a three-year period it was tested with different groups students to better understand their acceptance of the technology and ask if it had a meaningful impact on knowledge building related to the subject. It concludes by presenting the qualitative analysis, providing suggestions for how it should be understood and makes projections for next steps.