Developing and Piloting a Virtual Reality Prototype for Automotive Maintenance Training at a Ugandan Vocational Training Institute: A Design Science Feasibility Study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52562/jdle.2025.1802

Keywords:

Virtual Reality (VR), vocational training, design science research, automotive maintenance, Uganda

Abstract

Vocational training institutes in Uganda often lack tools, vehicles and workshop space for hands-on mechanics training. This study reports the development and feasibility pilot of a virtual reality (VR) training prototype for two automotive maintenance procedures at St Simon Peters Vocational Training Institute in Hoima. The prototype was built for standalone headsets following Design Science Research. Experiential Learning Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model guided requirements and questionnaire items. Thirty participants (25 trainees, 3 instructors and 2 support staff) completed Likert-type and multiple-choice questionnaires. Descriptively, trainees rated VR sessions as more engaging than their usual instruction (mean 4.52 of 5); repeated practice was the benefit most often selected, while ease of use and integration into teaching were rated more moderately. Without a comparison group or performance measure, the study cannot show learning gains. It contributes a described artefact, three provisional design principles and a list of scaling constraints.

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Author Biography

  • Francis Otto, Department of Computing and Technology, Uganda Christian University, Uganda

    Author Bio / Affiliation

    Dr. Francis Otto is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computing and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono, Uganda.
    He holds a Master of Science in Computer Application Technology from Central South University, China, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Makerere University, Uganda.

    Dr. Otto has extensive professional experience in higher education, ICT, and telecommunications, including roles at the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and Huawei Technologies (U) Co. Ltd. His expertise spans computer networks, ICT systems management, telecommunication technologies, and ICT for Higher Education—particularly in areas of learning, teaching, and leadership.

    His current research interests include ICT for Higher Education, Virtual and Immersive Learning Environments, Digital Pedagogy, and Technology-Enhanced Vocational Training.

    Affiliation: Uganda Christian University
    Department: Computing and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
    Email: ottofrancis@gmail.com

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Published

2025-12-03

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): September-December

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Otto Francis , Steve Ronald Mwanje

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Developing and Piloting a Virtual Reality Prototype for Automotive Maintenance Training at a Ugandan Vocational Training Institute: A Design Science Feasibility Study. (2025). Journal of Digital Learning and Education, 5(3), A1802. https://doi.org/10.52562/jdle.2025.1802