Integrating Sustainable Educational Innovations and Spatial Cognition: A Study of Factors Affecting College Students’ Sustainable Learning Behavior in Virtual Simulation Environments

Junsheng Zhou, Liyao Xiao () and Yunfu Li
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Junsheng Zhou: Virtual Simulation Design and Application, Xi’an University, Xi’an 710049, China
Liyao Xiao: Department of Media Content, Cheongju University, Cheongju 360-764, Republic of Korea
Yunfu Li: Education Digitalization Reform, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: Objective: This study investigated the factors influencing college students’ continuous utilization intention of virtual simulation software (Animation Character Virtual Simulation Software V1.0) in the context of current efforts to promote sustainable educational practices and explored design strategies to enhance this willingness in a sustainable manner. Method: Based on the Expectation Confirmation Model of Information System Continuance (ECM-ISC), this study developed a model to examine the impact of college students’ spatial ability (SA) on their virtual simulation learning behavior. Upon administering a questionnaire to the selected participants (N = 164), the survey data were analyzed for reliability and validity. Subsequently, the relationships among the model’s variables were explored. Result: For college students majoring in Digital Media Art, spatial ability significantly positively affects their sustainable utilization intention of virtual simulation software within 3D virtual scenarios. Meanwhile, it positively impacts perceived ease of use (PEU) and flow experience (FE), which are key factors in promoting the sustainable adoption of such technologies. The introduced spatial ability, perceived ease of use, and flow experience influence the endogeneity of the ECM-ISC. Moreover, gender differences in spatial ability are profound among these students. Conclusion: The primary influencing pathway is spatial ability → flow experience → expectation confirmation → perceived usefulness → continuous utilization intention. Enhancing spatial ability is one effective way to advance virtual simulation software, offering new insights for its design and long-term improvement in alignment with sustainable educational practices.

Keywords: sustainable educational innovations; spatial ability; virtual simulation software; multimedia; sustainable utilization intention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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