Cited by 1,438Virtual Reality Applications and ImpactsVisual and Cognitive Learning ProcessesAugmented Reality Applications

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 113 of the 116 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 95 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

The Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL): a Theoretical Research-Based Model of Learning in Immersive Virtual Reality

Open access
Makransky, Guido, Petersen, Gustav B.·2021·Educational Psychology Review

Abstract

There has been a surge in interest and implementation of immersive virtual reality (IVR)-based lessons in education and training recently, which has resulted in many studies on the topic. There are recent reviews which summarize this research, but little work has been done that synthesizes the existing findings into a theoretical framework. The Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL) synthesizes existing immersive educational research to describe the process of learning in IVR. The general theoretical framework of the model suggests that instructional methods which are based on evidence from research with less immersive media generalize to learning in IVR. However, the CAMIL builds on evidence that media interacts with method. That is, certain methods which facilitate the affordances of IVR are specifically relevant in this medium. The CAMIL identifies presence and agency as the general psychological affordances of learning in IVR, and describes how immersion, control factors, and representational fidelity facilitate these affordances. The model describes six affective and cognitive factors that can lead to IVR-based learning outcomes including interest, motivation, self-efficacy, embodiment, cognitive load, and self-regulation. The model also describes how these factors lead to factual, conceptual, and procedural knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer. Implications for future research and instructional design are proposed.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL) is a theoretical model proposing that learning in immersive virtual reality (IVR) is driven by the psychological affordances of presence and agency, which arise from immersion, control factors, and representational fidelity. It argues that media interacts with method, so instructional methods that leverage presence and agency are especially effective in IVR.

Key findings

  • CAMIL identifies presence and agency as the general psychological affordances of learning in IVR; immersion, control factors, and representational fidelity are proposed to facilitate these affordances.
  • The model specifies six affective and cognitive factors—interest, intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, embodiment, cognitive load, and self-regulation—that lead to factual, conceptual, and procedural knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer.
  • The paper argues that media interacts with method: cited experiments show instructional methods such as pre-training, enactment, and teaching produce interactions, with benefits in IVR but not in video or desktop VR conditions (e.g., Meyer et al. 2019, n = 118; Makransky et al. 2020a, n = 165; Klingenberg et al. 2020, n = 89).
  • Cognitive load and self-regulation are described as complicated factors: IVR can increase extraneous cognitive load and reduce reflection unless lessons are scaffolded; cited evidence includes Parong and Mayer (2018), where an immersive VR lesson was less effective than PowerPoint for factual knowledge but showed no significant difference for conceptual knowledge.

Methods

  • Theoretical/conceptual paper: it synthesizes existing immersive educational research and educational psychology theories to specify CAMIL; no original empirical data or sample are reported.
  • The model builds on prior frameworks and studies, including Lee et al. (2010), Makransky and Lilleholt (2018), and Makransky and Petersen (2019), and reviews media-and-methods experiments.
  • Main analysis is model specification: it defines constructs and hypothesized paths (Fig. 2) from technological factors to presence and agency, then through affective/cognitive factors to learning outcomes.

Limitations

  • Stated: few empirical studies have specifically tested the paths outlined in the model; more research is needed to test, extend, and revise it.
  • Stated: external factors such as usability, social factors, and individual differences (age, cyber sickness, working memory, personality, absorption, spatial ability) influence the model but are not included in it; the directions of paths 15 and 16 for self-regulation are contingent on instructional design.
  • Evident: the model is conceptual and not empirically validated in this paper; the paper also notes mixed findings for factual/declarative knowledge and states that IVR is not necessarily the ideal medium for teaching factual knowledge.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s10648-020-09586-2

Cites

113 of 113 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

Image 1
CC-BY · From the PDF
Fig. 2 Overview of the CAMIL
Fig. 2 Overview of the CAMILCC-BY · From the PDF

Verification

Claims the paper makes

71 Not checked yet · 38 Own interpretation · 3 No basis given · 1 Own result

Verify all 95 references — free account

Show all 69 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 26
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 22
44 of 44
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Little work has been done that synthesizes existing findings into a theoretical framework.

    “There are recent reviews which summarize this research, but little work has been done that synthesizes the existing findings into a theoretical framework.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Enjoyment which results from intrinsically motivating learning activities positively impacts learning through facilitating the use of flexible, creative learning strategies.

    “Enjoyment which results from intrinsically motivating learning activities is assumed to positively impact learning through facilitating the use of flexible, creative learning strategies as proposed in the CVTAE (path 19 in Fig. 2; Pekrun 2006).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Few empirical studies have specifically tested the paths outlined in CAMIL.

    “Although the CAMIL is based on empirical research end existing educational theories, few empirical studies have specifically tested the paths outlined in the model.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Few studies within the field of immersive learning differentiate between factual, conceptual, procedural knowledge, and transfer.

    “The CAMIL differentiates between factual, conceptual, procedural knowledge, and transfer, but few studies within the field of immersive learning differentiate between these constructs.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    IVR systems increase the size of the visual field of view compared to a monitor, which can increase presence.

    “IVR systems increases the size of the visual field of view compared to a monitor which can increase presence.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Even when IVR systems are not specifically designed to engage learners in hedonic activities, there is a risk that learners are overwhelmed by the engaging activities they experience in IVR, and the high levels of agency and presence.

    “Even when IVR systems are not specifically designed to engage learners in hedonic activities, there is a risk that learners are overwhelmed by the engaging activities they experience in IVR, and the high levels of agency and presence.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    More agency in the form of activating participants in their own learning process can provide opportunities for self-regulated learning.

    “Nevertheless, more agencies in the form of activating participants in their own learning process can also provide opportunities for self-regulated learning.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The effect of novelty is only transient and may never take the place of instructional support.

    “Nevertheless, the effect of novelty is only transient and may never take the place of instructional support.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Level of prior experience with IVR is an important external factor to control for.

    “Consequently, level of prior experience with IVR is an important external factor to control for, as we discuss later in this manuscript.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Immersive lessons are typically situated, which could make it difficult to transfer knowledge to a different situation.

    “however, immersive lessons are also typically situated, which could make it difficult to transfer knowledge to a different situation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    More complex visual representations and details represent better representational fidelity and can lead to higher presence, but may also lead to virtual environments that result in higher extraneous cognitive load and less learning.

    “This is the case because more complex visual representations and details, which represent better representational fidelity and can lead to higher presence, may also lead to virtual environments that result in higher extraneous CL and less learning.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Low usability may result in breaks in presence.

    “Low usability, e.g., by virtue of errors in navigating, may also result in breaks in presence.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Low usability may impair users' sense of agency through limiting their control.

    “Likewise, low usability may impair the users' sense of agency through limiting their control.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Learners may possess different degrees of certain traits and dispositions that can moderate the impact of IVR learning interventions.

    “It is also important to recognize that learners may possess different degrees of certain traits and dispositions that can moderate the impact of IVR learning interventions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Cyber sickness can diminish learning from IVR by shifting the learners' focus.

    “Cyber sickness is also a factor known to occur for some users of HMDs (Munafo et al. 2017), and can diminish learning from IVR by shifting the learners' focus.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No extensive investigations have been carried out on the influence of personality traits on IVR learning.

    “Although no extensive investigations, to our knowledge, have been carried out with respect to the influence of personality traits on IVR learning, Watjatrakul (2016) found that neuroticism and openness to experience influence university students' intentions to adopt online learning programs by influencing their perceived value of online learning.”
16 of 16

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Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

2 of 2

Citations

Cites

Show all 116 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Boyd, J., Barnett, S. W., Bodrova, E., Leong, D. J., & Gomby, D. (2005). Promoting children’s social and emotional development through preschool education. In National Institute for Early Education Research Preschool Policy Brief. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers.
  2. Clark, R. E., & Salomon, G. (1986). Media in teaching. In M. Wittrock (Ed.), Handbook of research on teaching (3rd ed.). Macmillan). New York.

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Metadata

Authors
Makransky, G., & Petersen, G. B.
Affiliations
University of Copenhagen (DK)
Corresponding author
  • Makransky, Guido
  • Petersen, Gustav B.
Venue
Educational Psychology Review
Published
2021-01-06
Volume
33
Issue
3
Pages
937-958
ISSN
  • 1040-726X (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-336X
OpenAlex
W3119399459
Cited by
1,438
References
116
Citations by year
2026: 569 · 2025: 355 · 2024: 208 · 2023: 172 · 2022: 106 · 2021: 27
FWCI
78.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Educational Psychology Review (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Innovationsfonden (SIPROS)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Augmented Reality Applications
Keywords
immersive virtual reality, immersive learning, presence, agency, media affordances, teaching methods, self-efficacy, embodiment, cognitive load, self-regulation, motivation, knowledge acquisition, knowledge transfer, instructional design

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