Enhancing Virtual Reality Learning Environments with Adaptivity: Lessons Learned

Virtual Reality (VR) is gaining in popularity and its added value for learning is being recognized. However, its richness in representation and manipulation possibilities may also become one of its weaknesses, as some learners may be overwhelmed and be easily lost in a virtual environment. Others may spend all their time on exploring features not relevant for their learning tasks. Therefore, being able to dynamically adapt the virtual environment to the personal preferences, prior knowledge, skills and competences, learning goals and the personal or social context in which the learning takes place becomes important. In this paper, we discuss possible adaptations and adaptation strategies for virtual learning environments. We also report on a prototype implementation of an adaptive Web-based virtual learning environment and the lessons learned from this.