Effects of Virtual Reality on Mental Rotation Ability of Science Students at Elementary Level

Abstract

Recent research has shown that the use of Virtual Reality (VR) can induce many cognitive capacities in science learners. This research explored the effects of virtual reality on mental rotation abilities, which are recognized as one of the significant sub-factors of spatial abilities. This study aimed to explore the effects of virtual reality on the mental rotation abilities of learners at the elementary level. The research was carried out employing experimental methodology, in which a pre-test post-test control group design was used. The hypotheses of the study were to compare the mental rotation abilities of the science students in the experimental group while learning through VR and the control group while learning as usual. The population consisted of 7^th grade students from the Islamabad Model School for Girls. Sample of study was conveniently selected i.e. 62 students through random selection. The standardized measure was used for a mental rotation test consisting of 24 multiple choice questions. Over the course of three weeks, virtual reality was used for the intervention purpose of learning various science topics that required mental rotation abilities for full comprehension. The results showed that VR had significant positive effect on mental rotation abilities of the science learners at elementary level. It is recommended to use virtual reality to enhance the learners’ spatial abilities such as mental rotation abilities.

Keywords: Virtual Reality, Spatial Abilities, Mental Rotation Abilities, Spatial Orientation, Spatial Visualization, Sciences.