The Impact of Applying Virtual Reality Technology to Spatial Ability Learning in Elementary School Students

Abstract

This study explored the effects of virtual reality (VR) technology applied to spatial ability learning in elementary school students. As supplement materials to the Geometry Unit in the curriculum, the learning materials were developed based on the mathematics competence indicators for fifth and sixth graders in Taiwan. Designed to enhance spatial concept and logical thinking, the materials tapped into VR technology to transform two-dimensional graphics into three-dimensional spaces, in view of effectively solving the problem of learning abstract 3D spaces. A quasi-experimental method was used to understand the influence of different learning methods on students’ learning effectiveness and interest in learning. The experiment found that (1) the use of interactive VR learning materials significantly improved student’s spatial ability; (2) using VR learning materials enhanced the learning effectiveness of students with low achievement in mathematics; and (3) the introduction of VR learning materials improved students’ motivation for learning spatial concepts. The findings showed that the digital learning materials developed in this study were beneficial to the teaching effectiveness of teachers and the learning needs of students.