Interactive Virtual Reality Game for Online Learning of Science Subject in Primary Schools

Abstract

Education plays an important role in nurturing children. COVID-19 pandemic brings challenges or disruptions to school education, due to school closures in some countries. Science subject in primary schools is unique as hands-on experiments are important learning components. Its learning process may be affected, as a new norm of online learning or home-based learning. This research project creates a serious game on science subject for primary school students aging within 10 to 11 years old using virtual reality (VR) technology. It consists of three virtual learning phases. Phase 1 explains theories of science topics on electricity and electric circuits. Phase 2 provides interactive hands-on experiment exercises where students can practice theory knowledge learned in the previous phase. An interactive quiz session is offered to reinforce the learning in Phase 3. Interactive VR features enable primary school students learning abstract science concepts in an interesting way compared to conventional classroom settings. Meticulous design attentions have been placed in the details such as visual instructions, voice instructions, speech tempo, animations, and colorful graphics to create a sense of realism and keep students actively engaged. Preliminary case study has been conducted with 10 students at primary schools in Singapore to evaluate learning effectiveness in this research.

Learning CS Subjects of Professional Software Development and Team Projects

“…Thirdly, we suggest adding gamification elements to the teaching of the course as proposed in [26]- [28], [30]. A leaderboard could be set up to display the scores students obtained using Kahoot.…”

Leveraging VR for the Visualization of Non-Observable Electrical Circuits Principles in Engineering Education

“…Cao et al [3] introduced a guided virtual reality education simulation that allows primary school students to learn basic analog circuit concepts. Basic components of switches and light bulbs were displayed with 3D models, and a simplified visualization of current was shown through an overlay above the wires.…”

“…Jiang et al [4] developed a similar application with the ability to allow multiple users to experiment on the same circuit. Like in [3], the circuitry utilized simplified blocks to allow for easier configuration of simple analog circuits.…”

Evaluations of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology-Enhanced Learning for Higher Education

“…The curiosity and reflective thinking of students are positively affected in a VAR learning environment [7]. A VR learning game was designed for primary school students in the study of the science subject on electricity and electric circuits, with the discussions of the learning efficiency through virtual practices [8]. One such study found that by implementing an augmented reality (AR) learning environment into physics learning in high school, the self-efficacy of the students was significantly increased [9].…”