Comparing learning outcomes in physical and simulated learning environments

The use of 2D and 3D simulated learning environments in education and training has increased significantly in the past decade. Simulated learning environments provide several advantages over physical learning environments including increased safety and accessibility. Simulated learning environments can also be utilized in an online setting, increasing the efficiency of delivery, access, and supporting greater personalization of the learning process. Despite a long history of use in workforce education, researchers have questioned whether simulations provide learners with the same quality of education as physical learning environments. This research investigated how learning to construct electrical circuits using a 2D simulation, a 3D simulation or a physical breadboard impacted learning outcomes. Additionally, this study examined the influence of learner characteristics, cognitive ability and goal orientation, on the relationship between the simulated learning environments and learning outcomes. The study utilized a pretest-posttest between subjects design and included 48 participants. Results suggest that learning to construct a circuit with physical components results in higher self-efficacy, faster construction times, and higher odds of correct construction than learning in a 2D or 3D simulation. Participants in the three conditions achieved comparable results in terms of cognitive outcomes; the differences identified were based on cognitive ability and goal orientation. There were no significant differences in outcomes achieved between participants in the 2D and 3D simulations. Implications for the design of simulated learning environments and potential impact for online technical curriculum are discussed. Relevance to industry: This study supports the evaluation of using online educational technology to learn technical skills. This is relevant to workforce education, especially with a diverse and distributed workforce that requires technical training.