An experimental comparative study of virtual reality and augmented reality for teaching solar system in primary education

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for enhancing primary school students’ learning of the solar system. A total of sixty second-grade children were randomly allocated to the three instructional conditions: VR, AR, and a traditional control...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Limpinan, Potsirin, Pichetphon, Weerapat, Yuensook, Thanet, Jantakoon, Thada
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:upcommonspor::df037b2ce13ddc9bbb3d573d25a7bcea
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/460587
https://dx.doi.org/10.3926/jotse.3684
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Virtual reality in education
Augmented reality
Elementary schools
Science -- Study and teaching
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Solar System
Immersive Learning
Primary Education
Realitat virtual en l'educació
Realitat augmentada
Ensenyament primari
Ciència -- Ensenyament
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Ensenyament i aprenentatge::TIC's aplicades a l'educació
Descripción
Sumario:This study aims to investigate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for enhancing primary school students’ learning of the solar system. A total of sixty second-grade children were randomly allocated to the three instructional conditions: VR, AR, and a traditional control group. Experiments used two custom-built applications (VR Solar Jelly and AR Solar Jelly) as primary interventions for participants. Post-test data indicated that both the VR (M = 16.90, SD = 0.97) and AR (M = 15.40, SD = 1.57) groups scored significantly higher than did the control group (M = 12.40, SD = 1.43; p < .05). Retention tests, performed with a two-week gap, showed a significant increase in the retention of knowledge of VR (91.42%) and AR (89.29%) compared to the control group (79.44%). Immersion conditions In terms of student satisfaction, both immersive conditions rated highly, the VR group (M = 2.85, SD = 0.37) indicating marginally more satisfaction than the AR group (M = 2.65, SD = 0.49) across four dimensions: media interest, ease of use, interactivity, and entertainment. These results indicate that immersive learning environments, and especially those using VR, may be most effective in improving conceptual learning, engagement, and retention in a group of young science learners. These findings lend empirical support to the application of immersive technologies in primary science education