Effect of Physical Fidelity and Immersion Level On Learning Experiences and Outcomes in VR-Based Fire-Safety Education

Overview

This study investigates the combined effects of physical fidelity (incorporation of multisensory stimuli including olfactory and haptic feedback) and immersion level (immersive versus desktop VR environments) on learning experiences and outcomes within fire-safety education contexts. The research addresses a gap in VR educational implementation, which has historically prioritized audiovisual modalities while neglecting non-visual sensory engagement. The investigation also responds to conflicting empirical evidence regarding immersion level's impact on learning and the underexplored interaction between physical fidelity and immersion variables.

Methods and approach

A two-by-two factorial experimental design was employed with 120 Chinese university students as participants. Independent variables consisted of physical fidelity (multisensory stimuli versus no multisensory stimuli) and immersion level (immersive VR versus desktop VR). Dependent variables encompassed learning experiences measured through cognitive load assessment, learning motivation, and quality of experience metrics, alongside learning outcomes operationalized as procedural knowledge, factual knowledge, and conceptual knowledge. The experimental manipulation systematically varied sensory input richness and display technology to isolate and examine their respective and interactive effects.

Results

Multisensory stimuli integration resulted in significant reduction of intrinsic cognitive load among learners. Immersive VR conditions demonstrated superior performance relative to desktop VR in enhancing learning motivation, with particular gains observed in attention, relevance, and satisfaction dimensions. Significant interaction effects emerged between physical fidelity and immersion level for long-term conceptual knowledge retention and satisfaction ratings. The combination of multisensory stimuli within immersive VR environments produced notably elevated quality of experience measures compared to other condition combinations.

Implications

The findings establish empirical support for multisensory stimulus integration in VR-based educational contexts, demonstrating cognitive load reduction mechanisms that may facilitate more efficient information processing. The documented superiority of immersive display technologies for motivational engagement provides evidence supporting investment in high-fidelity immersive systems, particularly where sustained attention and learner motivation are pedagogically relevant. The interaction effects between physical fidelity and immersion level suggest that optimal learning environment design requires consideration of both variables in concert rather than as independent design considerations, indicating that augmented sensory richness may be most effective when coupled with immersive display technologies.