Paper Type

ERF

Abstract

While Higher Education institutions are investing in both Virtual Reality (VR) and Generative AI (GenAI), the two technologies are being adopted at very different speeds: GenAI is now used widely across courses, but VR labs struggle to move past pilot projects. This study asks how faculty views of one technology shape their views of the other by running three focus groups with 20 faculty members at a U.S. university and analyzing the data using the qualitative data analysis. The findings show that faculty judge VR by comparing it to GenAI. Compared to GenAI’s easy access, VR’s headsets, lab space, and setup time feel heavier than they would in isolation. We draw on the Assimilation-Contrast Model and Expectation Disconfirmation Theory to explain this pattern and put forward three propositions for a follow-up survey. The study shows that the adoption of new technology is done with a relative judgment.

Paper Number

1599

Comments

SIG ED

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Aug 15th, 12:00 AM

Virtual Reality Adoption in Higher Education: GenAI Contrast Effect on VR Assimilation

While Higher Education institutions are investing in both Virtual Reality (VR) and Generative AI (GenAI), the two technologies are being adopted at very different speeds: GenAI is now used widely across courses, but VR labs struggle to move past pilot projects. This study asks how faculty views of one technology shape their views of the other by running three focus groups with 20 faculty members at a U.S. university and analyzing the data using the qualitative data analysis. The findings show that faculty judge VR by comparing it to GenAI. Compared to GenAI’s easy access, VR’s headsets, lab space, and setup time feel heavier than they would in isolation. We draw on the Assimilation-Contrast Model and Expectation Disconfirmation Theory to explain this pattern and put forward three propositions for a follow-up survey. The study shows that the adoption of new technology is done with a relative judgment.