Acceptance of immersive and non-immersive virtual reality in higher education: A comparative study based on the UTAUT2 model
Abstract
The advancement of emerging technologies is substantially changing social phenomena and the dynamics of interaction between individuals and institutions. In higher education, the incorporation of virtual reality (VR) has led to transformations in the design of teaching materials, teaching-learning methodologies, and knowledge acquisition mechanisms. It has also had an impact on educational quality, active, personalised, and collaborative student participation, acceptance, and intention to use, creating inclusive and immersive educational environments. This study had a dual objective: to analyse the degree of acceptance of VR, based on the dimensions of the UTAUT2 model, among 336 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Education Sciences; and to compare the non-immersive and immersive versions of VR to identify students' perceptions based on their experience. The results showed that the immersive modality constitutes a significant technological advance with high motivational potential, while the non-immersive modality suggests that simplicity, accessibility, and degree of complexity can positively influence perceptions towards the adoption of virtual reality in the university context. This study points to the design of techno-pedagogical strategies aimed at optimising the integration of VR in higher education, promoting a balance between innovation and usability that favours its acceptance and effective implementation.
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References
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