The Use of Single-User Immersive Virtual Reality in Professional Training

This thesis examines the use of immersive single-user virtual reality in professional training using head mounted display and hand controllers. VR training offers an advantage in the training of safety relevant tasks and complex procedures, which are currently not practised sufficiently. The goal is to investigate the challenges and opportunities of such training and establish recommendations for the use of single-user VR in professional training. In a case study, three training scenarios are examined. Electricians’ scenario (N=109, apprentices), a spatial orientation scenario (N=20, nurses in training) and a medical trolley scenario (N=21, nurses in training) are tested with future users in their educational programmes. Quantitative data is collected in questionnaires measuring affinity for technology interaction, presence, user experience and technology acceptance. Qualitative data is collected in semi- structured interviews and observations. The study investigates, how the prototypes are perceived by future users who are currently completing an apprenticeship or professional training, and which aspects are important for the integration of such training systems into curricula. The results show that single-user VR training is a welcomed enrichment in the professional training, enabling hands-on practice of procedural and safety-relevant skills. The study was able to show a clear added value in the form of individual learning pace, more repetition, better focus and enjoyment of the VR-based learning environment. Besides individual design optimizations and further development of content, embedding the system in everyday teaching, are the most important challenges. Both the user experience and the perceived added value of the solution are important indicators that a system like those developed in this study can be used by apprentices and students in the long term as a supplement to other learning methods.