Teaching Solar Energy Systems Design using Game-Based Virtual Reality

AlQallaf, Noor; Chen, Xinghao; Hussain, Sajjad; Ghannam, Rami

doi:10.1109/educon52537.2022.9766460

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…AlQallaf et al in [20] developed a virtual reality application for teaching solar energy system design using a game-based approach. The application comprised modalities including text, audio, quizzes, interaction with 3D objects and animations.…”

Section: Rq1: In What Solar Energy Aspects Are Vr Applications Used?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the studies offer practical training environments for students, enabling hands-on experience. Only two studies [41,42] from this review explained on-grid PV systems that connected the solar systems to the utility grid, while two studies [20,43] focused on the off-grid PV systems. The rest of the studies did not clarify the type of system used in the virtual reality application.…”

Section: Rq1: In What Solar Energy Aspects Are Vr Applications Used?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alqallaf et al in [20] mentioned that VR technology helped reinforce knowledge learned through conventional methods. Their VR application had positive feedback in terms of teaching the basics of solar energy system design as VR provides ease of interaction with 3D objects like real items.…”

Section: Rq2: What Are the Benefits And Limitations Of Using Immersiv...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally, incorporating interactive elements and gamification scenarios in VR applications in line with students' active learning enhances students' engagement and achieves a deeper comprehension of the topics, especially when using a variety of modalities such as text, audio, animations and quizzes [20]. In [34], it was shown that 3D constructions and visualizations can enhance students' understanding and make learning more efficient.…”

Section: Rq3: How Can Virtual Reality Contribute To Enhancing the Eng...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a novel pedagogical approach, VR has demonstrated its effectiveness in boosting student motivation, a crucial factor in shaping student attitudes towards learning [19]. Furthermore, VR's integration of game-based learning elements enhances engagement and fosters a more enjoyable learning experience [20]. By incorporating gamelike characteristics, such as rewards, challenges and interactive scenarios, gamification effectively transforms the complexities of solar energy system design into an engaging and enjoyable experience.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Immersive Learning in Photovoltaic Energy Education: A Comprehensive Review of Virtual Reality Applications

Alqallaf,

Ghannam

2024

Solar

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This paper presents a comprehensive and systematic review of virtual reality (VR) as an innovative educational tool specifically for solar photovoltaic energy systems. VR technology, with its immersive and interactive capabilities, offers a unique platform for in-depth learning and practical training in the field of solar energy. The use of VR in this context not only enhances the understanding of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems but also provides a hands-on experience that is crucial for developing the necessary skills in this rapidly evolving field. Among the 6814 articles initially identified, this systematic review specifically examined 15 articles that focused on the application of VR in PV education. These selected articles demonstrate VR’s ability to accurately simulate real-world environments and scenarios related to solar energy, providing an in-depth exploration of its practical applications in this field. By offering a realistic and detailed exploration of PV systems, VR enables learners to gain a deeper understanding of harnessing, managing and using such a vast energy resource. The paper further discusses the implications of employing VR in educational settings, highlighting its potential to change the way solar energy professionals are trained, thereby contributing significantly to the acceleration of photovoltaic technology adoption and its integration into sustainable energy solutions.

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Section: Rq1: In What Solar Energy Aspects Are Vr Applications Used?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Rq1: In What Solar Energy Aspects Are Vr Applications Used?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Rq2: What Are the Benefits And Limitations Of Using Immersiv...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Rq3: How Can Virtual Reality Contribute To Enhancing the Eng...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Immersive Learning in Photovoltaic Energy Education: A Comprehensive Review of Virtual Reality Applications

Alqallaf,

Ghannam

2024

Solar

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Solar Energy Systems Design Using Immersive Virtual Reality: A Multi-Modal Evaluation Approach

AlQallaf,

Ghannam

2024

Solar

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As the demand for renewable energy sources continues to increase, solar energy is becoming an increasingly popular option. Therefore, effective training in solar energy systems design and operation is crucial to ensure the successful implementation of solar energy technology. To make this training accessible to a wide range of people from different backgrounds, it is important to develop effective and engaging training methods. Immersive virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing solar energy training and education. In this paper, a unique method is presented to evaluate the effectiveness of an immersive VR experience for solar energy systems design using a multi-modal approach that includes a detailed analysis of user engagement. To gain a detailed analysis of user engagement, the VR experience was segmented into multiple scenes. Moreover, an eye-tracker and wireless wearable sensors were used to accurately measure user engagement and performance in each scene. The results demonstrate that the immersive VR experience was effective in improving users’ understanding of solar energy systems design and their ability to perform complex tasks. Moreover, by using sensors to measure user engagement, specific areas that required improvement were identified and insights for enhancing the design of future VR training experiences for solar energy systems design were provided. This research not only advances VR applications in solar energy education but also offers valuable insights for designing effective and engaging training modules using multi-modal sensory input and real-time user engagement analytics.

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Empathy, Education, and Awareness: A VR Hackathon’s Approach to Tackling Climate Change

AlQallaf,

Elnagar,

Aly

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Climate change education is crucial for fostering informed and engaged future generations. However, traditional pedagogies often fail to engage learners fully and provide real-world, experiential learning. This paper presents a novel approach to climate change education through a three-day virtual reality (VR) hackathon. The hackathon focused on four United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—Quality Education, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Climate Action. Using VR technology and game design software, engineering students worked in teams. They competed against each other in designing immersive environments that demonstrated their understanding of these SDGs and climate change. Our goal was to encourage the development of empathy, education, and awareness around these critical global issues. The hackathon also integrated authentic assessments, mirroring real-world engineering tasks and providing a more practical and relevant learning experience. Our findings suggest that this VR hackathon has significantly enhanced students’ understanding of the SDGs and climate change issues, their competency with VR technologies, as well as their teamwork and problem-solving skills. This paper discusses the hackathon’s design, implementation, and outcomes, highlighting the potential of such innovative approaches in tackling climate change education and awareness.

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Teaching Solar Energy Systems Design using Game-Based Virtual Reality

Cited by 4 publications

References 8 publications

Immersive Learning in Photovoltaic Energy Education: A Comprehensive Review of Virtual Reality Applications

Immersive Learning in Photovoltaic Energy Education: A Comprehensive Review of Virtual Reality Applications

Solar Energy Systems Design Using Immersive Virtual Reality: A Multi-Modal Evaluation Approach

Empathy, Education, and Awareness: A VR Hackathon’s Approach to Tackling Climate Change

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