An Educational Physics Laboratory in Mobile Versus Room Scale Virtual Reality – A Comparative Study

Abstract

Abstract-The emergence of new digital tools supporting immersive and engaging learning through Virtual Reality is opening up new paths for both distance, but also classroom learning. In this article we discuss the virtual physics laboratory "Maroon" and discuss experiences with Maroon in a cost-effective mobile setup with a mobile VR experience through Samsung GEAR and compare it with a more interactive VR experience in room-scale VR with HTC Vive. We describe a comparative evaluation of these two setups in order to identify chances and challenges of both setups. First results indicate more flexibility and portability with the mobile setup, while the room-scale setup profits of a highly interactive and hands-on experience. We discuss and compare the two setups based on immersion, engagement, presence, and motivation. Keywords-virtual reality, immersion, physics education, engagement IntroductionSTEM education is still often received as a boring and not intuitive field and educators are challenged to find interesting and engaging ways to teach these concepts. In physics, interactive simulations and visualizations and virtual laboratories have been shown as promising methods to teach complex concepts and can enhance the understanding of these concepts [1] [3][8] by making unseen concepts visible, stretching time, and conduct dangerous or even impossible experiments [2] [13]. While understanding the concepts is crucial, current pedagogical models tend to involve many remote learning exercises. Such remote environments challenge the students to learn in a self-directed wa. Engagement and motivation are key elements of self-directed learning. Hence, the goal of digital and also blended learning experiences is to achieve student engagement, enthusiasm, and curiosity while teaching physical principles. Different authors have shown that immersive, playful, and interactive learning experiences in virtual laboratories or applications engage students more than compared to traditional methods [4]

Virtual Reality in Education: A Review of Learning Theories, Approaches and Methodologies for the Last Decade

“…Five educational approaches, one methodology, five learning theories and one theoretical framework were found in the included literature from the seventeen studies that were obtained from the Scopus database (as shown in the Table 2 and Figure 2). [29] Experiential Learning (Methodology) Akman and Çakır, 2019 [30] Flow Theory (Theory) Chang et al, 2018 [31], Remolar et al, 2021 [32] John Dewey's theory of learning by doing (Theory) Sedlák et al, 2022 [20] Learning through problem solving (LPS) (Educational approach) Sedlák et al, 2022 [20] Scientific discovery learning (SDL) (Educational approach) Southgate et al, 2018 [33] Social Constructivism (Theoretical framework)…”

“…Recent research has proven that VR is beneficial in facilitating experiential learning in a range of educational environments [29]. Experiential learning, for example, has been demonstrated to improve perceived educational outcomes, attract students' interest and enhance enjoyment [28].…”

Do You Want to Learn Physics? Please Play Angry Birds (But With Epistemic Goals)

“…Within learning science, physics has been researched very often (Clark et al., 2011; Masson, Bub, & Lalonde, 2011; Squire, Barnett, Grant, & Higginbotham. 2004; Pirker, Lesjak, & Gütl, 2018; Ullman, Spelke, Battaglia, & Tenenbaum, 2017). The eminently abstract nature of the conceptual content of physics poses a major challenge to the learner, which is why Anderson and Barnett (2013) claim that videogames and simulators provide an excellent scenario for involving students in studying complex scientific concepts.…”

“Alone in Space” - Escape Room Game for VR

“…Virtual reality creates the illusion that a person is in a different place. It is defined as a highly interactive multimedia environment based on computers in which the user becomes a participant in a computer-generated world [13][14][15]. We consider the following definition [16] to be the most appropriate: Virtual reality as a multidisciplinary research area aimed at interactive human-computer-mediated simulations of artificial environments.…”