The Design of an Experiment to Evaluate the Effect of Spatial Sound on Memory Recall in a Virtual Reality Learning Environment

Abstract

With the widespread availability of affordable consumer devices, Virtual Reality is fast becoming a valid solution for enabling accessible and immersive teaching and learning experiences. VR presents many educational opportunities but there are still aspects that need further investigation, one being the utilisation of sound within VR, and the effect it has on memory recall. In the context of the online learning, this paper outlines a planned experiment design to investigate the relationship between spatial sound used within an online Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE) and its effect on immediate memory recall. The experiment uses an immersive, web-based platform exploiting the WebXR application programming interface, and built using Three.js and Resonance Audio JavaScript libraries. Using different audio conditions, an adapted Logic Memory test, in-VR questionnaires, and both between-group and within-group analysis, the goal of the experiment is to examine the effect of spatial audio on immediate memory recall, when compared to non-spatial audio.