Mediating Experiential Learning in Interactive Immersive Environments

Mostafa, Ahmed

Mediating Experiential Learning in Interactive Immersive Environments

dc.contributor.advisor	Sharlin, Ehud
dc.contributor.advisor	Costa Sousa, Mário
dc.contributor.author	Mostafa, Ahmed
dc.contributor.committeemember	Chan, Sonny
dc.contributor.committeemember	Takashima, Kazuki
dc.contributor.committeemember	Boulanger, Pierre
dc.contributor.committeemember	El-Sheimy, Naser
dc.date	2018-06
dc.date.accessioned	2018-01-25T19:21:19Z
dc.date.available	2018-01-25T19:21:19Z
dc.date.issued	2018-01-22
dc.description.abstract	Simulation and immersive environments are gaining popularity in various contexts. Arguably, such interactive systems have the potential to benefit many users in a variety of education and training scenarios. However, some of these systems especially with the lack of skilled instructors are still faced by challenges of operational complexity, the incorporation of different technologies and features, and the limited availability of performance measures and feedback. Therefore, the design of these systems would benefit from integrating experiential aspects and essential educational aids. For example, users of such learning systems, especially the novice ones, can be better supported by a smoother learning curve, detailed guidance features, the availability of feedback and performance reporting, and the integration of engaging & reflective capabilities. In essence, we recognize a need to re-explore learning aids and how they impact design, usage, and overall learning experience in interactive immersive environments. The goal of this dissertation is to mediate experiential learning in interactive immersive environments. This includes exploring existing and novel learning aids that would facilitate learning with improved engagement and immersion, enrich learners with insightful reflections, better support novice users’ learning and training needs, and ultimately enhance the overall experience. To achieve this goal, we utilized existing learning models and simulation-based training approaches and proposed a framework of learning aids to mediate learning in interactive immersive environments. Working closely with domain expert collaborators, we designed, implemented and evaluated four new interactive immersive prototypes in an attempt to validate the practicality of our aids. The first prototype, NeuroSimVR, is a stereoscopic visualization augmented with educational aids to support how medical users learn about a common back surgery procedure. The second prototype, ReflectiveSpineVR, is an immersive virtual reality surgical simulation with innovative interaction history capabilities that aim to empower users’ memories and enable deliberate repetitive practice as needed. The third prototype, JackVR, is an interactive immersive training system, utilizing novel gamification elements, and aims to support oil-and-gas experts in the process of landing oil rigs. Our fourth prototype, RoboTeacher, involves a humanoid robot instructor for teaching people industrial assembly tasks. In our prototypes, we presented novel learning aids, visualization, and interaction techniques that are new to many of the current immersive learning tools. We conclude this dissertation with lessons learned and guidelines for designing with learning aids in future research directions that target interactive experiential environments.	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Mostafa, A. (2018). Mediating Experiential Learning in Interactive Immersive Environments (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/5423	en_US
dc.identifier.doi	http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/5423
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/1880/106342
dc.language.iso	eng
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.faculty	Science
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary	en
dc.publisher.place	Calgary	en
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	Virtual Environments
dc.subject	Interactive
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	Learning
dc.subject	Simulation
dc.subject	Immersion
dc.subject.classification	Computer Science	en_US
dc.title	Mediating Experiential Learning in Interactive Immersive Environments
dc.type	doctoral thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Computer Science
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopy	true
ucalgary.thesis.checklist	I confirm that I have submitted all of the required forms to Faculty of Graduate Studies.	en_US