2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Immersive virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an instructional tool in education, enabling authentic, simulation-based environments for skill acquisition and conceptual learning. While previous studies have demonstrated performance improvements through immersive systems, few have measured their quantitative impact on knowledge retention in technically complex learning domains [1]. This study examines whether the use of head-mounted display (HMD) VR headsets in flight simulator training produces statistically significant gains in immediate and delayed learning outcomes compared with traditional non-immersive instruction.
Forty undergraduate engineering students were randomly assigned to a VR or non-VR training condition. Both groups received identical instruction on aerodynamic fundamentals and flight operation steps. A 37-item multiple-choice assessment was administered immediately following training and again one week later. Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests to compare mean performance between groups and a mixed-design ANOVA to evaluate the interaction between time and instructional mode.
Results indicated that the improvement in VR group's knowledge retention is statistically significant compared to the control group on both the immediate and delayed post-tests. The VR group also exhibited a smaller decline in performance between the two tests, suggesting improved retention of key aerodynamic concepts. These findings support earlier evidence that immersive environments can enhance learning and procedural understanding in engineering contexts [2], [3]. The data also extends the work of Lin et al. by demonstrating that the benefits of spatial learning persist beyond the initial training session [4].
Overall, this study provides quantitative evidence that integrating HMD-based VR systems into flight training modules can strengthen durable learning outcomes. These results have broader implications for simulation-driven instruction across engineering disciplines, supporting the continued use of immersive technologies to improve retention, skill transfer, and long-term conceptual understanding.