LectureCast as 360 Degree Video: What Impact do Immersion and Presence Experience have on Learning Performance?

In times of PodCast and MOOC's, a rebirth of the "classical" academic lecture in the form of modern technology-mediated communication as video-conserve can be observed. Current technological developments in the field of audiovisual media reduce the distance between a recorded action and its reception. By using high immersive technologies presence experiences can introduc new qualities of communication. In a study undertaken with freshmen we first explored the everyday use of video technologies by students and their experiences and expectations with regard to their use in formal learning contexts. I addition we investigated the question whether and how learning abilities of the recipients are impacted by immersive technologies (360-degree video on Head Mounted Display/VR headset) compared to classical LectureCast technologies (16:9 Video via Desktop). All things considered, it can be stated that an immersive media format alone does not generate added value: there is no increase of attention that further enhances learning, which can be derived from the feeling (of presence) of sitting in a lecture room, even beyond the possibly initial distraction of the appeal of novelty. Furthermore, the teacher-centered mode is unsuitable for a spherical projection due to its spatial setting, where only one direction is being employed. In order to exploit possible media-specific values of 360-degree video in the context of LectureCasts, it is consequently necessary to work either with a modified concept of a teacher-centered lecture, using the entire space, or to set a focus on the content by combining the recorded lecture with additional visual elements. Keywords: LectureCast, Immersion, Sense of Presence, 360-degree video, VR headset, Video-Learning