Beyond Reality - The Influence Audio-Visual-Haptic Training has on Sequence Learning in a VR and Real-world Environment

Failure to effectively learn and recall certain sequences, such as performing an overtaking manoeuvre in a car, can have potentially deadly consequences. Through improving the way sequences are learnt, we can begin to minimise the chances for these consequences to occur. Virtual Reality (VR) has been widely used in the field of learning, with some research indicating that learning outcomes can be further improved with the inclusion of additional task-relevant Multisensory Cues (MSCs). This project investigates whether VR could provide a more effective learning environment for sequence learning compared to the real-world. Additionally, this project investigates whether the inclusion of additional MSCs further improves sequence learning in a VR environment. 20 participants took part in 3 conditions (VR with MSC, VR without MSCs, and real-world without MSCs). Participants were tasked with pressing the lit-up button out of a choice of four buttons. Buttons were lit-up either randomly or followed one of three unique sequences. After each condition, participants were tasked with recalling the sequence. Both VR environments were found to be effective for sequence learning, with VR with MSCs being more effective than without MSCs. No significant differences in accuracy of recall were found between any of the learning environments. These findings indicate that VR with additional MSCs can provide a learning environment that is equally as effective at learning sequences as the real-world