Analyzing the Use of Heuristics in a Virtual Reality Learning Context: A Literature Review

Abstract

With concepts such as immersion and presence, known as hedonistic qualities of importance in the virtual reality (VR) experience, the question arises whether the more pragmatic heuristics are effective in the evaluation of an artifact. However, despite the importance of the heuristics for artifact evaluations, the available studies do not provide a rigorous review of these heuristics and their efficiency. Thus, this review aims to look at how heuristics have been applied in various virtual learning environments (VLEs) that involve virtual reality learning activities, either for use in heuristic evaluations or as design principles. In addition, it examines how these heuristics support the evaluation of a more hedonistic quality, such as presence, and lastly, the aim is to gauge the estimated efficiency of heuristics as an evaluation method. This article is a systematic review of research investigating using heuristics in a virtual reality learning context. The review includes articles published from January 2017 to February 2022, and from the screened records, twelve articles were analyzed in full-text form. This review shows the versatility of heuristics and their applications as well as the key concepts that are vital to the user’s experience in a virtual reality learning context. This review indicates that heuristic evaluation is a valuable tool, as it provides a clear summary of what needs to be handled in the next iteration of the application.

Keywords

• heuristics
• virtual reality
• virtual learning environments
• user experience