Evaluating the feasibility of virtual reality technology to train New Zealand firefighters in rural firefighting.
| dc.contributor.author | Wheeler, Steven G. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-21T03:29:24Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-21T03:29:24Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Virtual Reality (VR) technology offers numerous potential benefits for firefighter training, including enhanced learning outcomes achieved through a realistic, safe and assessable environment. However, at present, VR’s effect on knowledge transfer is largely unknown, with previous research primarily focusing on procedural knowledge acquisition in urban environments. Moreover, technology acceptance factors, particularly relevant in the context of firefighting organisations, have not been thoroughly examined when considering the implementation of VR in firefighter training. This thesis investigates how VR can support learning, whether it could supplement or replace current routines and factors among firefighters that lead to the acceptance of VR technology. For this purpose, a VR learning environment (VRLE) and design framework, including an in-depth profile of the potential end-user, were developed and evaluated in two user studies. The first study compared the learning outcomes of the current official textbook material and the VRLE, finding that the VRLE is more motivating and interesting to users without confirming VRLE’s superior knowledge transfer over the textbook. The second study evaluated the VRLE with firefighters and identified important factors to consider in technology acceptance through validating constructs of the technology acceptance model. Qualitative data gathered feedback and perspectives on using VR in this context, identifying areas where VR could be the most suitable and effective. The thesis concludes with a SWOT analysis that synthesises the user studies’ results, providing a detailed account of the state of the technology and identifying strong avenues for further research and important factors to consider when introducing VR in this domain. This thesis contributes to the field by furthering the understanding of VR’s potential for learning and its applicability to firefighter concepts. The user profile, design framework, and interview data from firefighters provide a solid knowledge resource to aid future designs in better meeting the demands of the firefighting profession and considering important technology acceptance factors. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10092/108207 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.26021/15719 | |
| dc.language | English | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.rights | All Right Reserved | |
| dc.rights.uri | https://canterbury.libguides.com/rights/theses | |
| dc.title | Evaluating the feasibility of virtual reality technology to train New Zealand firefighters in rural firefighting. | |
| dc.type | Theses / Dissertations | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Human Interface Technology | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Canterbury | |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| uc.bibnumber | in1408480 | |
| uc.college | Faculty of Engineering |