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Mitchell, A. L. (2022). The Influence of System Immersion on Carbon Footprint Reduction Learning and Behavior Outcomes. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/Mitchell_fsu_0071E_17506
In an era of increasing weather extremes, it is important to understand how best to encourage pro-environmental behaviors related to climate change risk mitigation. Protection Motivation Theory offers insight into the factors most relevant to addressing environmental threats. Experiential learning provides insight into how immersive technology may impact learning outcomes. Other factors are known to influence learning and behavior in this context, including the technology adopted to create and consume learning materials about climate change. To explore the impact of system immersion, the current study relied on two distinct treatment groups, one relying on a laptop with a flat screen to consume the instructional media and one relying on a virtual reality headset to consume the instructional media. Neither treatment group showed significant improvements in the learning outcomes under investigation: knowledge recall of climate change risk mitigation behaviors or perception of learning effectiveness. The study results indicate consuming the media through a flat screen is effective for improving a learner's threat and coping appraisal, though not effective for improving the intention to adopt risk mitigation behaviors. The VR headset did not appear effective at improving either of these behavior outcomes. The study results suggest 360° microlearning content is most effective for encouraging behavior changes when viewed on a flat screen. Yet small effect sizes and low statistical power indicate the results are not reliable and further research is needed to define the relationships and impacts of the factors under review in this study. Open science protocols, including consistent definitions, measures, and analysis tools, can ensure future research is comparable to the current study and the body of knowledge for immersive learning technologies is built on a solid foundation.
A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Advisory Committee
James Klein, Professor Directing Dissertation; George Williamson, University Representative; Allan Jeong, Committee Member; Vanessa Dennen, Committee Member.
Publisher
Florida State University
Identifier
Mitchell_fsu_0071E_17506
Mitchell, A. L. (2022). The Influence of System Immersion on Carbon Footprint Reduction Learning and Behavior Outcomes. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/Mitchell_fsu_0071E_17506