Findings
The Connecting the Dots study provides some valuable conclusions for research and practice regarding the use of VR for measuring and training Situation Awareness. Our results suggest that knowledge of the field contributes to the construction of SA. We also observed that the SA of the same students fluctuated between different scenarios. This seems to confirm that SA depends on the complexity of an environment. It is possible that SA depends not only on individual abilities and knowledge, but also on the specific situation and how it is presented to the student. It is therefore important for future research to properly investigate what the predictors of SA are and what role individual differences in ability and knowledge may play in this.
We also note that the construct Situation Awareness is more difficult to measure than suggested in the literature review that preceded this study. Despite these doubts about the measurement of SA, the Virtual Environment proved particularly useful in lessons when videos from the VR were used to discuss rolling strategies and how to improve the quality of rolling. As recommendations for follow-up research, we first point out the importance of getting a better grip on SA as a construct.
In addition, it is important to investigate the design of the environment and how it affects the performance of students operating the Virtual Environment. This could include further investigation of effects of variation in the environment, such as in complexity or limited visibility during rolling operations, for example, on performance and learning effects, as well as the question of what is the optimal amount of information or stimuli to support a student in learning to roll using the Virtual environment.
PUBLICATIONS RELATED TO THIS PROJECT
- Friso - van den Bos, I. , & Kollöffel, B. (2022). This is how we roll: Testing and training Situation Awareness in roller operator students using Virtual Reality. Abstract from 11th EARLI SIG14 Learning and Professional Development Conference 2022, Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
- Friso-van den Bos, I., & Kollöffel, B. (March, 2019). Connecting the dots. Taakgerichte Virtual Reality voor het trainen van situational awareness in MBO Techniekonderwijs. Poster presented at the NRO Inspiratiebijeenkomst, Utrecht.