Marine debris awareness improvement using immersive virtual reality

Sayali Joshi; Yu Wang; Eric Sparks; Mohammad Marufuzzaman; Mandy Sartain; Junfeng Ma

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114406

Marine debris awareness improvement using immersive virtual reality

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Jan:186:114406. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114406. Epub 2022 Dec 2.

Authors

Sayali Joshi¹, Yu Wang², Eric Sparks³, Mohammad Marufuzzaman⁴, Mandy Sartain⁵, Junfeng Ma⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. Electronic address: sgj74@msstate.edu.
² Center for Continuing Education, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. Electronic address: yw420@msstate.edu.
³ Coastal Marine Extension Program, Mississippi State University, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA. Electronic address: Eric.sparks@msstate.edu.
⁴ Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. Electronic address: maruf@ise.msstate.edu.
⁵ Coastal Marine Extension Program, Mississippi State University, Biloxi, MS 39532, USA. Electronic address: Mandy.sartain@msstate.edu.
⁶ Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. Electronic address: ma@ise.msstate.edu.

PMID: 36470100
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114406

Abstract

Improving awareness of marine debris could lead to large scale benefits. However, existing marine debris awareness approaches can often be limited in engagement. A more interactive and innovative educational method is needed to increase engagement and action. In this study, we use an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) approach and assess the efficacy and effectiveness of this approach. Three marine debris-related VR modules were developed. To validate the performance VR approach, we compared VR with traditional video-based education. Efficacy measured simulation sickness, system usability, and user experience; effectiveness evaluated knowledge gained and motivation. Twenty-five students were recruited in the study and randomly allocated into two groups. Within the current sample, the developed VR educational approach led to a significantly higher motivation for action and acceptable efficacy performance. These results indicate that VR-based education has the potential to lead to large scale prevention and management of marine debris.

Keywords: Education; Immersive virtual reality; Litter; Marine debris prevention.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Computer Simulation
Humans
Motivation
Students
Virtual Reality*