Share Paper: Identifying Student Profiles to Investigate Behavior during an Avatar-Based Learning Task in a Virtual Environment

1. Heather May Gautreau, University of Alberta, Canada
2. Patricia Boechler, University of Alberta, Canada

Abstract: Virtual environments are used recreationally by students and hold potential as learning platforms, but little is known about the types of students who learn best within these environments. Post-secondary students were observed during an information-based task in spatially-diverse virtual environments. Cluster analyses revealed four distinctive student profiles based on video game experience, social media usage, perceived sense of direction, and demonstrated spatial orientation skill. Results revealed a disproportionately high student membership in the profile characterized by low video game and social media usage, with much smaller membership in the student profiles that were characterized by high technology usage. An example ...