Abstract
Students consider spatial comprehension as one of the major difficulties in engineering studies. A good example of this is the teaching-learning process of ternary phase diagrams (TPDs) where students´ spatial abilities are put to the test. To solve this problem, two virtual learning environments (VLEs) based on virtual reality (VR) are presented in this paper. In essence, they consist of 3D interactive applications designed for interacting in real time with a TPD in different ways: rotating view, exploding view phases, changing point of view, observing hidden zones of the TPD by applying transparency option, cutting the diagram revealing isothermal sections, etc. According to students’ opinion shown in this paper, the usefulness of VR in topics that exhibit spatial comprehension difficulties is revealed. Furthermore, comparing the results using each VLE -one developed using technologies from several years ago and the other one using a more updated technology-, the students´ opinion reflects the importance of the VLE design on the motivation that this type of didactic tools awakens in students for being used.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M.: On the design of virtual reality learning environments in engineering. Multimodal Technol. Interact. 1, 11 (2017)
Chasanidou, D.: Design for motivation: evaluation of a design tool. Multimodal Technol. Interact. 2, 6 (2018)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M.: A virtual resource for enhancing the spatial comprehension of crystal lattices. Educ. Sci. 8, 153 (2018)
Chamoso, P., González-Briones, A., Rodríguez, S., Corchado, J.M: Tendencies of technologies and platforms in smart cities: a state-of-the-art review. In: Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing (2018)
Palomino, C.G., Nunes, C.S., Silveira, R.A., González, S.R., Nakayama, M.K.: Adaptive agent-based environment model to enable the teacher to create an adaptive class. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol. 617 (2017)
Griol, D., Molina, J.: Measuring the differences between human-human and human-machine dialogs. ADCAIJ Adv. Distrib. Comput. Artif. Intell. J. 4, 2 (2015)
Conradty, C., Bogner, F.X.: Hypertext or textbook: effects on motivation and gain in knowledge. Educ. Sci. 6, 29 (2016)
LaForce, M., Noble, E., Blackwell, C.: Problem-based learning (PBL) and student interest in stem careers: the roles of motivation and ability beliefs. Educ. Sci. 7, 92 (2017)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M.: New virtual application for improving the students´ understanding of ternary phase diagrams. Key Eng. Mater. 572, 578–581 (2014)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M.: A virtual environment for enhancing the understanding of ternary phase diagrams. J. Mater. Educ. 37(3–4), 93–101 (2015)
West, D.R.F.: Ternary Phase Diagrams. Chapman & Hall, New York (1982)
Chang, Y.-M., Birnie, D.P., Kingery, W.D.: Physical Ceramics: Principles for Ceramic Science and Engineering. Wiley, New York (1996)
Rafi, A., Khairul, A., Samad, A., Maizatul, H., Mahadzir, M.: Improving spatial ability using a web-based virtual environment (WbVE). Autom. Constr. 14, 707–715 (2005)
Fonseca, D., Villagrasa, S., Martí, N., Redondo, E., Sánchez, A.: Visualization methods in architecture education using 3D virtual models and augmented reality in mobile and social networks. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 93, 1337–1343 (2013)
Cohen, Ch.A, Hegarty, M.: Visualizing cross sections: training spatial thinking using interactive animations and virtual objects. Learn. Individ. Differ. 33, 63–71 (2014)
Huang, T.Ch., Lin, Ch.Y: From 3D modeling to 3D printing: development of a differentiated spatial ability teaching model. Telemat. Inform. 34(2), 604–613 (2017)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M.: On the use of PDF-3D to overcome spatial visualization difficulties linked with ternary phase diagrams. Educ. Sci. 9(2), 67 (2019)
Rubio, M.P., Vergara, D., Rodríguez, S., Extremera, J.: Virtual reality learning environments in materials engineering: Rockwell hardness test. In: Di Mascio, T., et al. (eds.) Methodologies and Intelligent Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning (MIS4TEL 2018). AISC, vol. 804, pp. 106–111. Springer, Cham (2019)
Bryson, S.: Approaches to the successful design and implementation of VR applications. In: Virtual Reality Applications, pp. 3–15 (1995)
Huang, H.M., Rauch, U., Liaw, S.S.: Investigating learners’ attitudes toward virtual reality learning environments: based on a constructivist approach. Comput. Educ. 55(3), 1171–1182 (2010)
García, O., Chamoso, P., Prieto, J., Rodríguez, S., De La Prieta, F.: A serious game to reduce consumption in smart buildings. Commun. Comput. Inf. Sci. 722, 481–493 (2017)
Casado-Vara, R., Prieto-Castrillo, F., Corchado, J.M.: A game theory approach for cooperative control to improve data quality and false data detection in WSN. Int. J. Robust Nonlinear Control 28(16), 5087–5102 (2018)
Casado-Vara, R., Chamoso, P., De la Prieta, F., Prieto, J., Corchado, J.M.: Non-linear adaptive closed-loop control system for improved efficiency in IoT-blockchain management. Inf. Fusion 49, 227–239 (2019)
Erra, U., Malandrino, D., Pepe, L.: A methodological evaluation of natural user interfaces for immersive 3D Graph explorations. J. Vis. Lang. Comput. 44, 13–27 (2018)
Johnston, A.P., Rae, J., Ariotti, N., Bailey, B., Lilja, A., Webb, R., McGhee, J.: Journey to the centre of the cell: virtual reality immersion into scientific data. Traffic 19(2), 105–110 (2018)
Dede, C., Salzman, M.C., Loftin, R.B.: ScienceSpace: virtual realities for learning complex and abstract scientific concepts. In: Proceedings of the IEEE 1996 Virtual Reality Annual International Symposium, pp. 246–252. IEEE (1996)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M.: Interactive virtual platform for simulating a concrete compression test. Key Eng. Mater. 572, 582–585 (2014)
Vergara, D., Lorenzo, M., Rubio, M.P.: Virtual environments in materials science and engineering: The students’ opinion. In: Lim, H. (ed.) Handbook of Research on Recent Developments in Materials Science and Corrosion Engineering Education, 1st edn, pp. 148–165. IGI Global, Hershey (2015)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P.: The application of didactic virtual tools in the instruction of industrial radiography. J. Mater. Educ. 37(1–2), 17–26 (2015)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Prieto, F., Lorenzo, M.: Enhancing the teaching/learning of materials mechanical characterization by using virtual reality. J. Mater. Educ. 38(3–4), 63–74 (2016)
Vergara, D., Lorenzo, M., Rubio, M.P.: On the use of virtual environments in engineering education. Int. J. Qual. Assur. Eng. Technol. Educ. 5(2), 30–41 (2016)
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M.: New approach for the teaching of concrete compression tests in large groups of engineering students. J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract. 143(2), 05016009 (2017)
Vergara, D., Rodríguez, M., Rubio, M.P., Ferrer, J., Núñez, F.J., Moralejo, L.: Formación de personal técnico en ensayos no destructivos por ultrasonidos mediante realidad virtual. Dyna 93(2), 150–154 (2018)
Acknowledgments
This work has been developed as part of “Virtual-Ledgers-Tecnologías DLT/Blockchain y Cripto-IOT sobre organizaciones virtuales de agentes ligeros y su aplicación en la eficiencia en el transporte de última milla”, ID SA267P18, project financed by Junta Castilla y León, Consejería de Educación, and FEDER funds.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Vergara, D., Rubio, M.P., Lorenzo, M., Rodríguez, S. (2020). On the Importance of the Design of Virtual Reality Learning Environments. In: Gennari, R., et al. Methodologies and Intelligent Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning, 9th International Conference. MIS4TEL 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1007 . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23990-9_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23990-9_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-23989-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-23990-9
eBook Packages: Intelligent Technologies and RoboticsIntelligent Technologies and Robotics (R0)