Designing a virtual environment in VR space using memory enhancement techniques: Introducing a VR approach to GDPR awareness training

Abstract

The introduction of virtual reality (VR) has made it possible to implement memory en-hancement techniques such as the method of loci in a virtual setting (virtual memorypalace). The studies into the virtual memory palace (VMP) have provided beneficial in-sight into how the memory palace can be applied to virtual environments (VEs). Moreover,these showcase the improvement in retention of the individuals after using the VMP. Thisthesis investigates whether a VE inspired by memory enhancement techniques can be usedas a learning tool to teach employees at ING about GDPR compliances (specifically dataprivacy compliances). This study explored which memory enhancement techniques can beapplied to the VE and how they affect the memory process. To implement this study, weperformed experiments on 23 participants out of which 12 were master students (with noprior knowledge of data privacy compliances) and 11 were ING employees. The experimentinvolved using the designed VE, performing one test and answering one questionnaire. Thetest was designed to check whether the participants were able to mark the location of theinformation found in the VE. The questionnaire was designed to test how the participantsapplied the information they saw in the VE.

Our results show that both the ING employees and the master students showed similarperformance on the second questionnaire and shared similar preference on using the VEas a daily tool for learning. The performance in the first test wasn’t 100% conclusiveas some participants with low scores in the first questionnaire performed better in thesecond questionnaire. Using this VE, we were able to teach the participants some dataprivacy compliances. This thesis lays a foundation for applying VEs inspired by memoryenhancement techniques in daily life situations.