Learning from 360-degree videos on a VR headset compared to 2D videos on a monitor

Online teaching has drastically increased over recent years. Although presentation of teaching videos in 360-degree on Virtual Reality headsets was shown to be more immersive than 2D videos, it is under debate whether people learn better from immersive 360-degree videos or 2D videos. The current preregistered study aimed to compare students’ learning success about a practical laboratory training in Electroencephalography from 360-degree videos shown on a VR headset compared to 2D videos. Forty-six participants responded to questions about Electroencephalography before and after watching a training video in 2D on a screen or in 360-degree on a VR headset. Their test score significantly improved and immediate learning performance was comparable in both conditions. However, participants preferred watching the 360-degree immersive videos on a VR headset and found them more practical. This suggests that both video formats can successfully be used in teaching contexts, though motivation to watch the video may be higher for 360-degree videos.近年来，在线教学规模大幅增长。尽管已有研究证实，在虚拟现实头戴设备（Virtual Reality Headset）上播放的360度教学视频比二维视频更具沉浸感，但学界对于沉浸式360度视频与二维视频哪种更能提升学习效果尚未达成共识。本项预注册研究旨在对比学生通过VR头显观看360度教学视频，与通过屏幕观看二维教学视频时，脑电图（Electroencephalography）实操实验室培训的学习效果差异。共有46名学生参与者在通过屏幕观看二维培训视频，或通过VR头显观看360度培训视频前后，完成了脑电图相关知识的问卷测试。两组学生的测试成绩均有显著提升，且即时学习表现无显著差异。但学生参与者更青睐通过VR头显观看360度沉浸式视频，并认为此类视频更具实操性。这表明两种视频格式均可有效应用于教学场景，不过360度视频可能会激发更高的观看动机。