Ideal VR Learning Experience

MARCH 2023

IDEAL VR LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Creating an Ideal VR Learning Experience framework for design students to increase ease of learning the technology.

UX Research

Lextant

Research & Insight Translation

Certification

Framework for ideal Virtual Reality learning experience in Design Education

Background

Virtual reality (VR) technology is rapidly expanding, generating significant interest among students. However, many design institutions have yet to incorporate VR into their curricula. In 2022 less than 30% educational institutes provided VR training. This project aims to address this gap by developing a framework for design schools to effectively integrate VR into their educational programs.

Role: User Researcher

Tools: Miro Board, Microsoft Excel

Timeline: Sep 2023 - Nov 2023 (10 weeks)

Team: 5 members

Research Methods: Desk Research

Moderated User Interview

Contextual Enquiry

Card Sorting

Goal

Identify framework to ease teaching and learning experience of Virtual Reality technology in academic institute setup, to create future proof students.

Problem Statement

There's much hesitation in introducing Virtual Reality in the design curriculum despite it having great economic value in coming years.

The global virtual reality market size is projected to grow from USD 16.67 billion in 2022 to USD 227.34 billion by 2029.

Research Questions

What are challenges in learning Virtual Reality tools?
What is the ideal setup for learning Virtual Reality tools?
What is the ideal curriculum for learning Virtual Reality tools?

Process

Identify Data Data Finding Client

Problem collection Analysis Insight Booklet

Research Protocol

15+

Desk Research

About Technology
Market Research
Tech Adaption Barriers
VR in Design Education

Observational Research

4

11

Interviews

7

Cultural Probe

Virtual Reality Lecture classes
Students working on Virtual Reality assignments

Student
Faculty

Students
Faculty Members

Research Ecosystem

Technology

Student & Faculty

Curriculum

Software Headset

Meta Quest 3

Personas

Students

This stakeholder is the change maker and forebearer of the technology.

Faculty

Faculty member's major responsibility entails having students do quality work that's fit for the industry standards.

Affinity Diagram

After conducting user research and gathering data, an affinity diagram helped to cluster related observations to find insights.

Design Deliverable

The ideal experience of learning ARVR brings a feeling of certainty to the students and faculty members during the teaching and learning experience.

Ideal Experience

I FEEL CERTAIN

The ideal experience of learning AR/VR makes the user feel certain because it helps them execute all their tasks with greater efficiency and expertise in the subject matter.

Insights

I AM CONFIDENT

It encourages the user to become self reliant and accomplish their goals.

Because of

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

It allows the user to go through their everyday work with ease by fixing technical bugs and setbacks.

The software should be able to solve the frequent glitches, accommodate a high number of polycounts and still work efficiently.

The technology should be able to cater to all the user’s needs from setting up and loading the software to presenting via VR equipment and uploading curated files anywhere with ease.

There should be enough awareness and knowledge regarding the frequent updates happening in the technology so that everyone can get familiarised with its benefits and work according to it.

"Other challenges would be, how to

stick to a production pipeline that

has industry standards."

Faculty Member, 38

I AM PRODUCTIVE

It offers intersectional learning which expands through different fields.

Because of

INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM

With projects involving a collaborative approach with XR and MR software to learn and experiment with and expand the scope of academic projects.

It should allow lesser screen time to nullify the unhealthy effects on eyesight and students can easily adapt to it without getting motion-sick.

The industry landscape is changing very rapidly and hence the curriculum should be regularly updated and constantly modified to compliment the technological as well as occupational advancements.

The projects should cater to different headset preferences among students for learning & using. This includes factors like level of optimization and ease of working and operating within groups.

"I would like to see more stuff that is

not game focused."

Student, 22

I AM FULFILLED

It enhances the learning opportunities and project outcomes via collaborations

Because of

PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIONS

It offers interdisciplinary collaborations with the fields that can help students diversify according to their interest and gain exposure across disciplines.

The project work and scope should diversify among unconventional fields, design or otherwise so that students can help various sectors exceed via this technology.

The existing curriculum for other design disciplines should accommodate AR/VR in them considering the rapid expansion and diffusion in the education as well as professional industry.

The adoption of AR/VR should expand beyond gaming and healthcare sectors to other relevant sectors to gain the maximum advantage.

"While using a VR headset, one

person is enjoying and the rest of

them are a little bit annoyed."

Student, 22

I AM SATISFIED

It makes the user feel content and perform their day to day tasks with ease.

Because of

EQUIPPED ACADEMIC BASE

It gives the user the freedom to use and access AR/VR facilities within their given work environment.

This would enable the users to view as well as showcase their work in a way where multiple people can experience their work in the virtual reality space - something like 360 or 180 LED screens.

The academic institutions should provide students with equipment (hardware as well as software) free of time boundation and long procedures.

The universities should provide specialists and not generalists to help the students with their learning challenges regularly.

The classroom infrastructure/setup should be a collaborative platform which can offer students to work with the highest efficiency of presenting, producing and testing.

"It is just about increasing the basic

accessibility of the VR gadgets to

students."

Faculty Member, 52