Telepresence: A ‘Real’ Component in a Model to Make Human-Computer Interface Factors Meaningful in the Virtual Learning Environment

A thorough review of the research relating to Human-Computer Interface (HCI) form and contentfactors in the education, communication and computer science disciplines reveals strongassociations of meaningful perceptual “illusions” with enhanced learning and satisfaction inthe evolving classroom. Specifically, associations emerge between spatial illusions (sensoryspace) and low-level learning objectives, e.g., memorization; and social illusions (interaction)and high-level learning objectives, e.g., evaluation. What are glaringly absent, however, aremeasures to define and associate the factors of the technologically advanced Virtual LearningEnvironment (VLE) with the illusions and levels of learning. The researchers detail the factorsassociated with the communication concept “telepresence” (“presence”) that is particularlyrelevant to the illusions in the VLE. Through a synthesis of the literatures and extensive researchat a N.Y. school, they create and test presence technology guidelines, measures, andlearning assessments to enhance illusions, learning and satisfaction in the VLE (Selverian,2005).