Enhancing Emotion Regulation Through Virtual Reality Design Framework for Social-Emotional Learning (VRSEL)

Virtual reality (VR) has swiftly progressed, transitioning from a niche technology primarily associated with gaming to a versatile tool with broad applications across entertainment, healthcare, education, and beyond. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is increasingly recognized for its role in enhancing individuals' social skills and emotional regulation. However, despite the growing body of research on VR, the development of specific design frameworks for integrating VR with SEL remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by employing thematic analysis to identify the critical components necessary for a Virtual Reality Design Framework for Social-Emotional Learning (VRSEL) aimed at improving emotion regulation among Malaysian adolescents. Through qualitative data derived from expert interviews in SEL and VR, this research proposes a framework that leverages immersive VR technology to create realistic, interactive scenarios that facilitate the practice and development of social-emotional skills. The framework emphasizes key design principles, including user interface (UI), presentation layer (PL), and brain activity (BA). Our findings suggest that VRSEL is a powerful tool for SEL, offering significant potential for educational environments. However, challenges such as technical barriers, content development, and educator training must be addressed to fully realize its benefits. This research highlights the promising role of VR in advancing SEL and lays the groundwork for further exploration and refinement of VRSEL in diverse educational settings.

@article{Hamzah2024,
  title     = {Enhancing Emotion Regulation Through Virtual Reality Design Framework for Social-Emotional Learning (VRSEL)},
  journal   = {International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications},
  volume    = {15},
  number    = {10},
  year      = {2024},
  publisher = {The Science and Information Organization},
  author    = {Irna Hamzah and Ely Salwana and Nilufar Baghaei and Mark Billinghurst and Azhar Arsad},
  doi       = {10.14569/IJACSA.2024.0151029},
  url       = {https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2024.0151029}
}