Can Virtual Reality Enhance Learning: A Case Study in Materials Science

Caro, V.; Carter, Brandon; Dagli, Sahil; Schissler, Mark; Millunchick, Joanna Mirecki

doi:10.1109/fie.2018.8659267

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…To date, different tests of materials have been simulated in a VRLE (e.g., tensile testing [4,5], compression testing [6], impact testing [7,8], hardness testing [7,8], microscopic analysis [7,8], and non-destructive testing [9,10]). In addition, other key aspects related to MSE have been investigated in a VRLE (e.g., crystal lattices [11,12], phase diagrams [13,14], nanomaterials [15,16], and materials manufacturing processes [17]). Several educational benefits of implementing virtual reality (VR) in MSE have been reported in the literature [4,18,19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaningful Learning Through Virtual Reality Learning Environments: A Case Study in Materials Engineering

et al. 2019

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The increasing dissemination of virtual reality learning environments (VRLEs) compels the elucidation of how these didactic tools can improve their effectiveness at the formative level. The motivation generated in students by a VRLE is revealed as a key factor in achieving meaningful learning, but such a motivation by itself alone does not guarantee the long-term retention of knowledge. To identify the necessary characteristics of a VRLE to achieve an appropriate level of meaningful learning, this paper compares a set of VRLEs created in previous years with a group of recently developed VRLEs, after being used by engineering students. A description of the design process of the both VRLEs groups is included in this paper. Most significantly, analysis of the response of a total of 103 students in a specific survey reveals how a step-by-step protocol system helped improve students' knowledge and retention after one year of using a VRLE. Thus, this study not only demonstrates the importance of using modern development engines when creating or updating a VRLE to achieve student motivation, but also justifies in many cases the use of a step-by-step protocol as a method to improve the long-term retention of knowledge.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaningful Learning Through Virtual Reality Learning Environments: A Case Study in Materials Engineering

et al. 2019

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“…Academia has also been very active in this area with studies focused on applying computer graphics to achieve more accurate depictions of the chemical compounds and their properties while also reducing the rendering speed [44]. Several applications also deal with teaching crystalsrelated concepts to students [9]. However, most visualizers are single-user and the ones that have multi-user support focus on collaborative tasks rather than teaching [14,31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Existing tools mainly focus on self study (e.g. [9]) and collaborative problem solving (e.g., [14,31]). In contrast, our application has been designed specifically as a support for online university lectures with a focus on the student-teacher class interaction and after-class activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A virtual reality classroom to teach and explore crystal solid state structures

Stella

Agosti

Blas

et al. 2022

Multimed Tools Appl

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We present an educational application of virtual reality that we created to help students gain an in-depth understanding of the internal structure of crystals and related key concepts. Teachers can use it to give lectures to small groups (10-15) of students in a shared virtual environment, both remotely (with teacher and students in different locations) and locally (while sharing the same physical space). Lectures can be recorded, stored in an online repository, and shared with students who can either review a recorded lecture in the same virtual environment or can use the application for self-studying by exploring a large collection of available crystal structures. We validated our application with human subjects receiving positive feedback.

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“…To date, IVEs have been predominantly applied to procedural and skills-based education, successfully enhancing learning outcomes. For example the performance of a group of material science students on a series of questions about crystal structures improved when they were presented with virtual 3D diagrams of crystal structures via a head-mounted display (HMD), compared to using 2D diagrams (Caro et al, 2018). The ability to manipulate and rotate the crystals in the IVE helped students understand the relationships between atoms and perform better in assessment tasks than those who studied the textbook diagrams.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immersive virtual environments and embodied agents for e-learning applications

Fitton

Finnegan

Proulx

2020

PeerJ Computer Science

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Massive Open Online Courses are a dominant force in remote-learning yet suffer from persisting problems stemming from lack of commitment and low completion rates. In this initial study we investigate how the use of immersive virtual environments for Power-Point based informational learning may benefit learners and mimic traditional lectures successfully. We examine the role of embodied agent tutors which are frequently implemented within virtual learning environments. We find similar performance on a bespoke knowledge test and metrics for motivation, satisfaction, and engagement by learners in both real and virtual environments, regardless of embodied agent tutor presence. Our results raise questions regarding the viability of using virtual environments for remote-learning paradigms, and we emphasise the need for further investigation to inform the design of effective remote-learning applications.

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Can Virtual Reality Enhance Learning: A Case Study in Materials Science

Cited by 14 publications

References 11 publications

Meaningful Learning Through Virtual Reality Learning Environments: A Case Study in Materials Engineering

Meaningful Learning Through Virtual Reality Learning Environments: A Case Study in Materials Engineering

A virtual reality classroom to teach and explore crystal solid state structures

Immersive virtual environments and embodied agents for e-learning applications

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