Impact of virtual reality use on the teaching and learning of vectors

Abstract

The use of virtual reality in education has enabled the possibility of representing abstract concepts and virtually manipulating them, providing a suitable platform for understanding mathematical concepts and their relation with the physical world. In this contribution, we present a study that aims to evaluate the students’ experience using a virtual reality (VR) tool and their learning of three-dimensional vectors in an introductory physics university course. We followed an experimental research design, with a control and an experimental group, for measuring students’ performance in a pre-post 3D vectors questionnaire. We surveyed the experimental group about their perception of VR use regarding their learning objectives, their experience using VR as a learning tool during the sessions, and the value of using VR in class. We found that on the items in which visualization was important, students in the experimental group outperformed the students in the control group. Students evaluated the VR tool as having a positive impact on their course contents learning and as a valuable tool to enhance their learning experience. We identified four hierarchical categories in which students perceived the use of virtual reality helped them learn the course contents: Visualization, 3D Visualization, Identification, and Understanding. Overall, this study’s findings contribute to the knowledge of using virtual reality for education at the university level. We encourage university instructors to think about incorporating VR in their classes.

The Role of Immersive Virtual Realities: Enhancing Science Learning in Higher Education

“… Campos et al [42] showed VR's significant role in enhancing the comprehension of complex concepts like vectors in physics, advocating for VR's inclusion in classroom instruction.…”

Unlocking the Potential: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Education

“…The findings indicate that the experimental group outperformed the control group concerning items that required visualization. Additionally, the students had a positive attitude toward the VR-based learning tool, as it was identified as being able to enhance their learning experience, particularly in categories of course content involving visualization, 3D visualization, identification, and understanding [69]. The focal point of most of the immersive technology intervention studies was centered on learning achievement, motivation, and attitude, but there is a dearth of qualitative investigations in the domain [70].…”

The Use of Virtual Reality Technology in Intelligent Transportation Systems Education

“…Education augmented with VR technology has immense benefits compared to traditional approaches [2], [5], [17]. The most important benefits of implementing VR technology in education were increased immersion, higher motivation, and deeper learning [2].…”

“…The most important benefits of implementing VR technology in education were increased immersion, higher motivation, and deeper learning [2]. VR education can motivate and stimulate learning, even in the form of distance education [2], [17], [18].…”

“…VR technology enhances the ability to visualize and interact in a 3D environment by increasing the levels of immersion [3]. The higher levels of immersion achieved by using VR technology in education can improve students' knowledge retention, understanding, concentration, and academic performances [2], [17]- [19].…”