In particular in STEM education, disciplines, which require students to understand difficult conceptual concepts such as physical phenomena, different learning strategies have evolved to enhance the students’ learning success and engagement. Many of these strategies include interactive activities such as hands-on experiences, game-based learning, or cooperative assignments. It is challenging to...

Language learning occurring in authentic contexts has been shown to be more effective. Virtual worlds provide simulated contexts that have the necessary elements of authentic contexts for language learning, and as a result, many studies have adopted virtual worlds as a useful platform for language learning. However, few studies so far have examined the relationship between learning outcomes and...

With online and blended learning now commonplace, it is surprising that the research regarding the accessibility of virtual learning environments and other collaborative learning management systems is relatively sparse. This paper provides an initial empirical investigation into the accessibility problems that are present in 3 different virtual learning environments. This investigation demonstr...

Many studies have worked on virtual laboratory for desktop computers, yet the development of virtual laboratories for mobile devices is still at a developing stage because of its interface peculiarities and the assessment for its evaluation is yet to be established. This research has explored the use of Mobile Virtual Laboratory (MVL) for laboratory practicals in institutions of higher learning...

Today’s digital era, dynamic teaching and learning in higher education has moved from traditional class room, face-to face learning environments to more interactive and collaborative environments, due to a demand for online-distance learning from students, and the desire from academic institutes to promote and deliver courses across the globe. Advancement in open source virtual learning platfor...

Life-long learning is an instrument for knowledge workers to stay up-to-date in an innovative economy. So far higher education has not been very successful in realising life-long learning. A possibly helpful educational concept is the 'virtual learning organisation'. The newly founded Dutch Digital University, for example, has taken this concept on board. Virtual learning organisation, however,...

Does the immersive design of a serious game affect learners’ virtual presence? Does virtual presence improve learning? By identifying virtual presence as a variable that may determine learning outcomes, it is argued that computer gaming environments present a new challenge for researchers to investigate. Particularly, the effect of games on virtual presence might help designers to predict which...