Student experiences of virtual reality: A case study in learning special relativity

Abstract

We present a study of student learning through the use of virtual reality. A software package is used to introduce concepts of special relativity to students in a game-like environment where users experience the effects of travelling at near light speeds. From this new perspective, space and time are significantly different to that experienced in everyday life. The study explores how students have worked with this environment and how these students have used this experience in their study of special relativity. A mixed method approach has been taken to evaluate the outcomes of separate implementations of the package at two universities. Students found the simulation to be a positive learning experience and described the subject area as being less abstract after its use. Also, students were more capable of correctly answering concept questions relating to special relativity, and a small but measurable improvement was observed in the final exam.

Developing a virtual physics world

“…They believe that they have learnt, and results from our concept tests and from formal examinations show that they indeed have -an optimistic sign that R T R can improve students' perceived as well as actual understanding of relativity. The learning outcomes, and how they were measured, are discussed in detail in McGrath et al (2010) and Savage et al (2010).…”

“…The process involved in developing the virtual world and associated teaching materials is presented below. Detailed evaluation methods, and data, from specific points throughout the project have been published elsewhere (McGrath, Savage, Williamson, Wegener & McIntyre, 2008;McGrath et al, 2010;Savage, Searle & McCalman, 2007).…”

“…The teaching package includes a lab manual with assessable tasks. The final product is presented in McGrath, Wegener, McIntyre, Savage and Williamson (2010), and items are available online from the project's website (http://www.anu.edu.au/Physics/vrproject/). The process involved in developing the virtual world and associated teaching materials is presented below.…”

ICTs based Physics Learning

“…By development of visual models of the effects of special relativity they understood this concept that they found abstract before use RTR [18].…”

Visualizing relativity: The OpenRelativity project

“…13 The project does not slow down light, but instead moves the viewer into space, where he or she actually travels fast. As opposed to the earlier movies, the movement of the first-person viewer is completely controllable.…”