From Novelty to Knowledge: A Longitudinal Investigation of the Novelty Effect on Learning Outcomes in Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly recognized as a powerful educational platform, but the novelty effect–where users experience heightened engagement during initial interactions with new technology–can interfere with learning outcomes. This study investigates how the novelty effect influences learning using a three-wave longitudinal design, tracking changes in information recall and exploratory behavior over three weeks. Our findings reveal that while initial novelty impedes learning, learners' ability to encode educational content improves as they become more familiar with the virtual environment. Additionally, sustained exploratory behavior positively impacts learning over time, reinforcing the importance of active engagement in VR-based education. This study enhances the understanding of VR's long-term educational impact and provides guidance for improving learning effectiveness in immersive learning environments.