Immersion principle: people do not necessarily learn better in 3D immersive virtual reality than with a corresponding 2D desktop presentation (d = -0.10 across 9 tests)¶
Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · theoreticalr3·q3·i0negligible
Currency · newest study 2024 · checked against its sources 2026-10-22 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person
Subclaims¶
Reading the evidence codes
q is the design tier, i the impact, n the sample, and the kind with its r
the rigour judged within that kind: what each code means.
This claim: no standardized effect is recorded in observations/ for it yet, so no benchmark reading is possible.
q3 i0 Across 9 experimental tests, adding 3D immersive virtual reality did not improve learning over corresponding 2D desktop presentations, with a mean effect size of -0.10. → Richard E. Mayer 2024
Evidence¶
Richard E. Mayer 2024¶
Richard E. Mayer. (2024). The Past, Present, and Future of the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09842-1
q3 · i0 · theoretical · r3
Table 6 summary of the author's lab's experimental tests reports the immersion principle with an effect size of "-0.10" across "9" tests, finding no benefit for 3D immersive virtual reality over a corresponding 2D desktop presentation.
"14. Immersion principle: People do not necessarily learn better in 3D immersive virtual reality than with a corresponding 2D desktop presentation -0.10 9"
Discussion¶
Related Claims¶
- In a piloted virtual reality WIL, most students reported improved crisis-problem-solving understanding and high enjoyment — related
- VR improved movement-based transfer test performance versus reading in security training, while learning in VR without the possibility to act was detrimental — related
- Immersive VR simulation increased self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation more than a conventional safety manual in laboratory safety training — related
- No difference in extraneous cognitive load between modality conditions in VR, contrary to the modality principle — related
- Immersive technologies such as virtual reality should reinforce, not substitute, the original educational action — related
- No difference in intrinsic cognitive load between visual-only and audio-visual text conditions in VR — related
- Immersion in virtual reality adds extraneous load yet can boost transfer, enjoyment, and motivation while leaving retention unaffected — related
- In an immersive VR learning environment, visual-only text yields higher recall than audio-visual text (reverse modality effect) — related
- In Desktop-VR, interaction format (object movement vs. camera movement vs. no interaction) showed no significant main effect on learning outcomes — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
- Immersive lessons show a small effect size advantage over less immersive technology, but increased presence does not necessarily lead to more learning — reports the opposite
- Learners' spatial ability moderates whether realistic visualizations help or hinder learning — related
- Students who experienced the virtual field trip via a 3D HMD scored higher on a delayed posttest roughly three weeks later than 2D-video students — reports the opposite
- Middle-school students taking a virtual field trip via a 3D HMD report higher interest than students taking the same trip as a 2D video — reports the opposite
- Middle-school students taking a virtual field trip via a 3D HMD report higher presence than students taking the same trip as a 2D video — related
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
claim |
id |
immersion-principle-no-vr-benefit |
title |
Immersion principle: people do not necessarily learn better in 3D immersive virtual reality than with a corresponding 2D desktop presentation (d = -0.10 across 9 tests) |
description |
Immersion principle: people do not necessarily learn better in 3D immersive virtual reality than with a corresponding 2D desktop presentation (d = -0.10 across 9 tests) |
status |
review |
evidence_strength |
moderate |
newest_evidence |
2024 |
source_checked |
2026-10-22 |
generated |
by process:wiki-ingest on 2026-10-21 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — richard-e-mayer-2024 |
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