Title: Effect of group learning for children through evacuation drills in virtual space

Authors: Yuya Yamato; Kouki Kadoya; Koichi Hayashida; Pindo Tutuko; Dinh-Thanh Nguyen; Preap Phanhavath

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Fukui College, Fukui, Japan ' Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Fukui College, Fukui, Japan ' Technical Support Centre, National Institute of Technology, Fukui College, Fukui, Japan ' Department of Architecture, University of Merdeka Malang, Indonesia ' Department of Hydrology and Engineering Geology, University of Science Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ' Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Fukui College, Fukui, Japan

Abstract: According to Japanese guidelines for disaster prevention drills in elementary schools, to protect your own life, it is important for disaster drills to improve the ability to predict and avoid dangers and foster an attitude of proactive action. Children need, as a way of future disaster prevention training, to acquire the ability to act by themselves in the event of a fire and earthquake in a learning environment that is more effective than daily life. Group learning of disaster prevention drills may be considered an effective learning method. In this study, we developed a simulator for hands-on disaster prevention training and examined the effectiveness of group learning of disaster prevention on children. The results of this study indicate that group learning through a simulator in a virtual space is effective. We think they were highly motivated and able to act actively by actually operating them as a game. Furthermore, group learning encouraged an exchange of knowledge among the members. Thus, active participation can be expected in group learning. In addition, it was found that the understanding of evacuation behaviour can be deepened through this process without creating pressure.

Keywords: virtual reality; group learning; disaster drill; education for children; fire preparedness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSS.2022.129399

International Journal of Society Systems Science, 2022 Vol.14 No.2, pp.150 - 162

Received: 01 Aug 2022
Accepted: 24 Nov 2022
Published online: 07 Mar 2023 *

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