2018_EJRNL_PP_MYRTEDE_ALFRED_1.pdf
Terbatas Lili Sawaludin Mulyadi
» ITB
Terbatas Lili Sawaludin Mulyadi
» ITB
The use of 2D and 3D simulated learning environments in education and training has increased significantly in
the past decade. Simulated learning environments provide several advantages over physical learning environments
including increased safety and accessibility. Simulated learning environments can also be utilized in an
online setting, increasing the efficiency of delivery, access, and supporting greater personalization of the
learning process. Despite a long history of use in workforce education, researchers have questioned whether
simulations provide learners with the same quality of education as physical learning environments. This research
investigated how learning to construct electrical circuits using a 2D simulation, a 3D simulation or a physical
breadboard impacted learning outcomes. Additionally, this study examined the influence of learner characteristics,
cognitive ability and goal orientation, on the relationship between the simulated learning environments
and learning outcomes. The study utilized a pretest-posttest between subjects design and included 48 participants.
Results suggest that learning to construct a circuit with physical components results in higher self-efficacy,
faster construction times, and higher odds of correct construction than learning in a 2D or 3D simulation.
Participants in the three conditions achieved comparable results in terms of cognitive outcomes; the differences
identified were based on cognitive ability and goal orientation. There were no significant differences in outcomes
achieved between participants in the 2D and 3D simulations. Implications for the design of simulated
learning environments and potential impact for online technical curriculum are discussed.
Relevance to industry: This study supports the evaluation of using online educational technology to learn technical
skills. This is relevant to workforce education, especially with a diverse and distributed workforce that
requires technical training.
1. Introduction