Collaborative science learning in an immersive flight simulation

This mixed methods study examined the effect of Astronaut Challenge, an immersive, flight-simulation-based learning program, on the collaborative learning process and science knowledge development of high-school students. The study findings suggested that simulation-based collaborative learning activities significantly promoted students' scientific understanding about the dynamics of the space flight system. The knowledge test and STEM attitudes survey results did not indicate a significant difference between two immersive contexts of the simulation (exclusive-space flight simulation versus classroom flight simulation) in influencing the learning outcomes. Qualitative findings suggested that the higher level of the sensory immersion in a simulation-based learning environment may foster task engagement and procedural practice but not collaborative conceptual processing.