This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of interactions with native French language Facebook posts on beginning French language learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC) and their attitudes towards the target language and culture in a university setting. In addition, the degree of interaction, by participants, with the French language Facebook posts was recorded and analyzed. This study was conducted during the Spring 2013 semester at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. Participants in this study were recruited from two sections of FRE 1120, Elementary French Language and Civilization I. Native French language Facebook posts were “pushed” to participants’ personal Facebook News Feeds over the course of four weeks, with posts pushed on weekdays only and Facebook polls asking for participant feedback on Fridays. Two instruments were used in this study to obtain participants’ demographic information and to measure willingness to communicate as well attitudes towards the target language and culture. In addition, the researcher gathered observational data directly from Facebook. Data were analyzed using a Split-plot ANOVA and descriptive statistics. A total of 26 participants completed the study, with 14 participants in the control group and 12 participants in the treatment group. Both sections of FRE 1120 were conducted in a traditional, face-to-face format and were taught by the same instructor. Results indicated that participants’ willingness to communicate in French and their attitudes towards the target language and culture were not iv significantly impacted by interaction with native French language Facebook posts. The level of Facebook-facilitated interactions in all areas, including “Liking,” Sharing,” and “Commenting” was low. Self-reported interactions, including reading, viewing and translating of French language Facebook posts; Reading and viewing posts (such as simply viewing a photo) was the most frequently reported interaction, with “Commenting” and “Sharing” was the least common interaction. Opportunities for future research are numerous and include increasing the size of the sample, increasing the length of the study, and selected participants’ who are more advanced in their mastery of the target language. The potential of social network sites to serve as digitally immersive environments for foreign language learners should be explored in more depth and across various languages.

Due to increasing data complexity, researchers are struggling to visually explore data using traditional methods. Research has shown that a variety of analytics-related tasks can be enhanced using new emerging technologies (e.g., virtual reality [VR] and augmented reality [AR]). This paper provides a detailed design approach for developing an immersive virtual engine system for conducting exploratory and descriptive data analytics. This system is called the Immersive Virtual Exploratory Engine (IVEE), is a VR system that allows users to experience full intractability with its graphical elements and examines various datasets within the same immersive environment. Basic plots—such as histograms, line plots, and other exploratory analytics—can be created in both 2D and 3D to visualize datasets. Furthermore, the proposed module provides a data sub-setting system, entitled “Lasso,” as well as a visual element merge system that allows users to subset and merge data using natural interactions only. The system also allows for the simultaneous visualization of multiple representations, thus supporting decisions that require numerous plots. Furthermore, the system supports remote collaboration, allowing users from different locations to come together in a virtual space and work collaboratively as they would in a real-life setting.

The surge in online shopping has resulted in decreased customer presence in brick-and-mortar stores. To attract customers, retailers need to enhance the experiential value of their environments. Lighting plays a crucial role in creating appealing spaces and guiding customers.  Through a  comparative analysis of "Normal" and "Rituals" stores, this study examines how lighting differentiates retail environments, focusing on parameters like color temperature and intensity differences. In addition, a case study is conducted on "The Crystal Chandelier," a dynamic light art installation at Westfield Mall of Scandinavia, to analyze how it enhances the experiential value in retail highlighting the importance of dynamic visuals and color variations in creating immersive experiences. Specifically, the study investigates "Outside Insight," a skyspace created by James Turrell in Stockholm, using a mixed-methods approach. The research examines the lighting qualities of Skyspace and its potential to create an immersive retail environment. The findings suggest that strategic use of color transitions, illumination, and correlated color temperature variations can, enhance visual stimulation, and evoke energy and excitement. Moments of color stability promote comfort and deeper engagement with displayed items. These insights demonstrate the potential of perceptual light art in designing retail environments, particularly in the personal care retail sector.

It is estimated that there are currently fifty million people living with dementia worldwide. An accurate and early diagnosis of dementia is important in order to initiate appropriate treatment programs as soon as possible. Common methods of neuropsychological assessment can be sensitive to external factors which may compromise accuracy. The aim of this thesis was to investigate techniques that have the potential for the detection of dementia that avoid some of the external influences. The thesis looked at measurements of (i) postural stability (ii) facial analysis and (iii) fully-immersive virtual reality in cognitively-healthy individuals. These techniques were chosen as postural stability and facial analysis change in dementia and whilst virtual reality has previously been used in dementia research, fully-immersive virtual reality measures have not been established. To see if the measurements were associated with cognitive function, participants completed a series of cognitive tests. Results indicate that all techniques explored shared a relationship with memory performance, with lower anteroposterior postural sway (F(1,22) = 17.76, p < 0.01), number of activities participated in that involve a posture element (F(2, 39) = 3.77, p < .05; Wilk's Λ = 0.84, partial η2 = 0.16), the greater the frequency of negative facial expressions (F(2, 18) = 4.49, p < .05; Wilk's Λ = 0.67, partial η2 = 0.33.), and low blink rate (t(11.02) = 2.62 p < .05) all showing better scores on memory tests. Moreover, better scores on the fullyimmersive virtual reality task predicted better scores on with short-term memory (F(1,22) = 20.20 p < 0.01), LTM (F(1,22) = 09.10 p < .01), associative learning (F(1,22) = 08.75 p < .01), and a dual–task test (F(1,22) = 04.64 p < .05). The novel findings that elements such as postural stability, participation in sports, facial expressions of emotion, blink rates, and spatial memory as assessed in fully-immersive virtual reality highlight that non-invasive techniques can provide measurements that correspond to cognitive ability. This may hold implications for dementia diagnoses. Future research should assess whether these relationships can also be found in an older adult population. If this relationship is found in older adults, it could justify further research into how these techniques could be applied in a clinical context.

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Due to digitalization and digital transformation, service-based organizations are looking into how to apply innovative digital technology in their models and processes. In the cultural heritage sector, immersive technology is often adopted to enable the digitalization of the museum experience. Applying immersive technology comes with new challenges and opportunities for museums, and it is, therefore, a strategic decision. Current literature focuses on the impact of immersive museum experiences on visitors, leaving a knowledge gap concerning the internal and external strategic stakeholders’ perspectives. The present work presents an explorative qualitative study of the perceived challenges and opportunities by strategic stakeholders of the Swedish cultural heritage sector. The main outcome of this study is a thematization of the challenges and opportunities. The findings on the challenges of immersive technology application are thematized based on innovation management, design value, and organizational model. The identified themes related to the opportunities regard operational efficiency, social sustainability, and experience design. The outcomes of this study can inform the work of researchers and industry professionals with epistemic, experiential, economic, social, and cultural implications.

Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that has grown in popularity within recent years. Not only is it widely used as a gaming entertainment but now the use of the technology is increasing in other areas. VR within school is still a relatively new phenomenon. This report examines the advantages and disadvantages of VR in education and in what contexts it is appropriate to implement. To answer the report’s questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers and initiators who work with VR in Swedish schools. All respondents are working on different projects in varying age groups, this report focuses on elementary school and high school. The results show that all teachers and initiators that were interviewed are positive about the use of VR in education. The advantages are many. VR provides educational support for students with learning difficulties and disabilities; the improved memory experience is also mentioned which confirms the results of previous studies. The respondents also believe that VR is suitable for all types of lessons.

This thesis investigates the role of recording techniques in immersive music production, aiming to balance practicality and necessity. Through four case studies involving harp, piano, sitar and an original music production inspired by a letter, the research examines how the creative process within music production and recording techniques are influenced by immersive music in mind. Utilizing qualitative observation and quantitative technical experiments, the study documents the process and outcomes, revealing the significance of immersive microphone techniques for maintaining realistic spatialization. Future directions include further exploration of recording techniques and creative applications within immersive music production. By comparing various recording methods, this work contributes a unique perspective to the field, enhancing our understanding of the interplay between technology, creativity, and musical immersion. / <p><strong>Harp: </strong>Improvised piece played by Pauline Burke-Clason. Files: Harp_ADM_Mix1.wav, Harp_Binaural _Mix1.wav,Harp_ADM_Mix2.wav, Harp_Binaural _Mix2.wav and Harp_StereoReference.wav.</p><p>Shorter versions of these files are available on DiVa, while the complete files are stored at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.</p><p><strong>Grand Piano: </strong><em>Maurice Ravel - Miroirs, No.5, La vallée des cloches</em>, played by Herdís Ágústa Linnet. Files:MauriceRavel-VLaValleeDesCloches_ADM_Mix1.wav, MauriceRavel-VLaValleeDesCloches_Binaural _Mix1.wav, MauriceRavel-VLaValleeDesCloches_ADM_Mix2.wav, MauriceRavel-VLaValleeDesCloches_Binaural_Mix2.wav and MauriceRavel-VLaValleeDesCloches_StereoReference.wav.</p><p>Shorter versions of these files are available on DiVa, while the complete files are stored at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.</p><p><strong>Sitar: </strong>Improvised piece played by Arjun K. Verma. Files: Sitar_ADM.wav, Sitar_Binaural.wav och Sitar_StereoReference.wav.</p><p>21 seconds of this piece is used in this project.</p><p><strong>The Dream: </strong>Song written and produced by Basma Jabbar.</p><p>Acoustic guitar arranged by and played by Tom Jondelius.</p><p>Electric guitar arranged by and played by Chris Lee.</p><p>Drums played by Felix Kling.</p><p>Strings by Stockholm Studio Orchestra:</p><p>Violin: Anna Roos Stefansson, Claudia Bonfiglioli, Danial Shariati, Jannika Gustafsson, Jonna Simonsson, Lola Torrente, Oscar Treitler, Paul Waltman, Sarah Cross, Simona Bonfiglioli, Vicky Sayles.</p><p>Viola: Christopher Öhman, Erik Holm, Shahar Rosenthal, Vidar Andersson Meilink.</p><p>Cello: Daniel Thorell, Filip Lundberg, Josef Alin.</p><p>Double Bass: Bård Ericson.</p><p>Strings arranged by Henrik Langemyr.</p><p>Strings conducted by Erik Arvinder.</p><p>Strings recorded &amp; engineered by Willem Bleeker &amp; Erik Arvinder, assisted by Basma Jabbar.</p><p>Files: TheDream_ADM.wav, TheDream_Binaural.wav and TheDream_StereoReference.wav.</p><p>Shorter versions of these files are available on DiVa, while the complete files are stored at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.</p><p>If nothing else is stated, recording and mixing engineer is Basma Jabbar.</p>