Review of Virtual Reality (VR) Applications To Enhance Chemical Safety: From Students to Plant Operators

Abstract

Human performance is critical to ensure safety and health in hazardous chemical settings, wherein the majority of the accidents have been attributed to human error. As a result, both industry and academia have been concerned about the efficacy of knowledge and skill transfer. Virtual reality (VR) technology is gaining attention as a way to improve human performance. In this paper, we review the literature on the applications of VR to chemical safety in laboratories and industries. Our review reveals that VR offers much potential for training lab users and plant operators as well as for bridging the theoretical knowledge–practical skills gap. However, there is a need to develop systematic approaches to measure the effectiveness in achieving the desired training outcomes. Therefore, in this paper, we discuss the best practices for VR-based training. We also stress the need to incorporate physiological sensors into the VR environment.

Virtual Reality to Teach Students in Laboratories: A Bibliometric and Network Analysis

“…VR technology finds diverse applications in gaming, education, healthcare, and training, continually advancing with new technologies. , Consequently, VR is an emerging tool in education and research, and it is being used in different educational stages, areas of knowledge, and science education. ,− In addition, the application of VR in teaching has positive effects on students’ behaviors and cognition, improving their learning process and providing students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with content, explore complex concepts, and interact with virtual environments . VR can promote collaborative learning, allowing students to work together in a lab or other virtual space, regardless of their geographic location or time zone, providing a more flexible and efficient means of conducting research and developing teaching and learning activities, − including efforts to engage science publishing in a variety of informal learning contexts . Another advantage of using VR in education settings is that it provides students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with content, explore complex concepts, and interact with virtual environments .…”

“…VR technology can also be applied to create personalized learning experiences geared toward the needs and abilities of specific groups of students, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching and learning processes. Accordingly, the use of VR can be used to simulate scientific experiments or real-world scenarios, allowing students to gain practical experience in a safe and controlled environment. , VR is particularly valuable in simulating intricate experimental scenarios, challenging or unfeasible to replicate in traditional laboratories, involving dangerous chemicals or hazardous biological agents. − Virtual laboratories simulate the equipment, tests, and procedures used in different disciplines that include a laboratory component in the curriculum. , …”

Investigating the Impact of RAMP-Based Safety Instruction on Student Learning in an Organic Chemistry Lab Course

“…In addition, many activity-based approaches have been reported, which include safety games, − puzzles, skits, cartoons, videos, graphic novels, virtual reality, digital badging, case studies, , storyboards, interactive online quizzes, skill-building modules, and courses − on chemical safety. More recently, the use of virtual reality applications has been explored for laboratory safety training to equip students to respond to unexpected accidents. , Outside of the laboratory, a few workgroups focused on safety instruction have begun to address training young scientists . However, chemical and laboratory safety goes beyond a few implementations; instead, it involves fostering a safety culture and development of safety mindsets and behaviors …”

Features of Immersive Virtual Reality to Support Meaningful Chemistry Education

“…IVR is seen as a promising tool for supporting students’ meaningful learning. ,, IVR can be described as a computer-generated world where users can interactively immerse and be present, while wearing a head mounted display (HMD). This gives the user a real feeling of being part of the scene and allows the user to practice new skills. , …”