APPLYING MERRILL’S FIRST PRINCIPLES OF INSTRUCTION IN VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED ASTRONOMY EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY OF “THE SOLAR SYSTEM’S MYSTERIES”

Abstract

The study combines Merrill's First Principles of Instruction (task orientation, activation, demonstration, application, and integration) with the application of VR in the astronomy module of primary school science courses to construct an article specifically exploring the teaching design and practical effects of VR in science education. This study investigates the factors that influence primary school students' science learning in a Chinese primary school, aiming to establish a collaborative science learning environment for these students. This study aims to improve the science learning environment for primary school students, enabling them to engage in collaborative learning during the science learning process and achieve high-quality learning outcomes. This study is based on TICOL theory and Merrill's First Principles of Instruction. It employs quantitative research methods, with structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) as the primary analytical tool. The study used purposive sampling, selecting an elementary school equipped with VR teaching resources and taught by teachers with relevant teaching experience as the research site. The study participants were students in grades four to six. A total of 433 paper questionnaires were collected, and after data screening, cleaning, and common method bias (CMB) processing, 376 valid questionnaires were obtained for deductive data analysis. The results indicate that immersive virtual reality (IVR) courses effectively enhance students' affective learning outcomes through interactivity, with Merrill's First Principles of Instruction and collaborative learning structures playing a significant role in this process. In conclusion, learners can benefit from immersive VR science courses, particularly in contexts with good interactive design and instructional guidance, where emotional engagement and learning outcomes can be significantly enhanced.