Use of Immersive Navigation in Virtual ENvironment (INVEN) to Improve Students’ Understanding of Building Components and Materials

Abstract

To improve student learning, construction educators are using virtual reality. The improvement of the technology and economic feasibility of the devices have increased their use in the recent years. This study looked into the potential of Immersive Navigation in Virtual ENvironment (INVEN) to complement traditional teaching practices to provide immersive learning about building components and materials to the construction students. A survey was conducted among a group of undergraduate students by allowing them to explore INVEN created as a pilot. The survey was conducted to capture the students’ learning engagement, understanding of 3D spatial layout, user experience, and perceptions of educational effectiveness. The preliminary results show positive feedback on the usability of INVEN and suggest the possibility of developing the technology as a self-paced learning tool with embedded information