Digital Learning Environments - Constructing Augmented and Virtual Reality in Fire Safety

This article gives examples of how the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) environments support the fire prevention training. We present the VR and AR games that we designed for fire safety training. Here, we see the VR environment as a digital learning environment while the AR environment is a mixed learning environment on-site. Combining VR and AR learning environments, physical, psychological, social and pedagogic dimensions are distinguished. We also describe the internal and external learning environment in the context of future technologies. The internal learning environment includes the virtual scenario, whereas the external learning environment is the situation in the room around the player - the authentic learning experience before, during and after the game play. These two layers need to be concerned and further developed when designing serious games. If not, the challenge is that the game, instead of being serious, remains on the level of entertainment.