‘Beneficial in the real world’: Annotations support learning and quizzes boost the experience of competence in VR

This paper explores the role of instructional support in fostering learning in VR. We conducted an experiment with N = 126 10th graders in a school setting. Participants engaged in a science learning environment with explanatory figures and auditory explanations. The experiment used a 2x2 factorial approach, with annotations (i.e., labels of important terms) and quizzes (i.e., self-assessment through questions) as the two instructional support conditions. We used knowledge tests, an attention questionnaire, and competence experience surveys as instruments. Annotations significantly enhanced recall knowledge and attention while also improving the experience of competence. Quizzes, on the other hand, primarily boosted the experience of competence. These findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of annotations and quizzes as instructional support methods in a real-world context.