The Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL): A Theoretical Research-Based Model of Learning in Immersive Virtual Reality

Guido Makransky*, Gustav Bøg Lassen Petersen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

398 Citations (Scopus)
142 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

There has been a surge in interest and implementation of immersive virtual reality (IVR)-based lessons in education and training recently, which has resulted in many studies on the topic. There are recent reviews which summarize this research, but little work has been done that synthesizes the existing findings into a theoretical framework. The Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL) synthesizes existing immersive educational research to describe the process of learning in IVR. The general theoretical framework of the model suggests that instructional methods which are based on evidence from research with less immersive media generalize to learning in IVR. However, the CAMIL builds on evidence that media interacts with method. That is, certain methods which facilitate the affordances of IVR are specifically relevant in this medium. The CAMIL identifies presence and agency as the general psychological affordances of learning in IVR, and describes how immersion, control factors, and representational fidelity facilitate these affordances. The model describes six affective and cognitive factors that can lead to IVR-based learning outcomes including interest, motivation, self-efficacy, embodiment, cognitive load, and self-regulation. The model also describes how these factors lead to factual, conceptual, and procedural knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer. Implications for future research and instructional design are proposed.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEducational Psychology Review
Volume33
Pages (from-to)937-958
ISSN1040-726X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jan 2021

Keywords

  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Immersive virtual reality
  • Educational psychology
  • Technology-enhanced learning
  • Motivation
  • Learning

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