Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Design and Validation of a Virtual Reality Scenery for Learning Radioactivity: HalDron Project

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Applied Informatics (ICAI 2023)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 1874))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 293 Accesses

Abstract

Immersive technologies could be used to teach more complex concepts, particularly those which are hard to conceptualize related to science. The present paper presents how a team comprised of a Physics professor and some undergraduate Physics and Mathematics students with basic knowledge of C#/C +  + design developed a Virtual Reality (VR) experience by using Blender and Unity to create an immersive experience through the use of Oculus Quest 2 headset, the objective was teaching the basic concepts of natural radioactivity and nucleosynthesis to undergraduate students with the help of a 3D modeled Virtual Learning Companion to test if immersive technologies would help to better understand and retain the information through an experience not available to them in experimental laboratories. An intervention was conducted with 143 undergraduate students to validate the system as a learning method. The students who participated in the testing received a prior knowledge assessment through a Google Forms test which was emailed to them, then experienced a quick virtual reality immersion (less than 10 min) and finally received a new theoretical assessment the following day after the VR experience along a user experience test. The results show that the student’s average grades went from 4.9 to 9.8 (of 15 points) and a high completion rate, even among those unfamiliar with VR or head-mounted displays.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kaundanya N.S., Khari, M.: Applications of virtual reality in a cloud-based learning environment: a review, pp. 787–794 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7527-3_74

  2. Nesenbergs, K., Abolins, V., Ormanis, J., Mednis, A.: Use of augmented and virtual reality in remote higher education: a systematic umbrella review. Educ Sci (Basel) 11(1), 8 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11010008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Liono, R.A., Amanda, N., Pratiwi, A., Gunawan, A.A.S.: A systematic literature review: learning with visual by the help of augmented reality helps students learn better. Procedia Comput. Sci. 179, 144–152 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2020.12.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Laghari, A.A., Jumani, A.K., Kumar, K., Chhajro, M.A.: Systematic analysis of virtual reality & augmented reality. Int. J. Inf. Eng. Electr. Bus. 13(1), 36–43 (2021). https://doi.org/10.5815/ijieeb.2021.01.04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Margetis, G., Apostolakis, K.C., Ntoa, S., Papagiannakis, G., Stephanidis, C.: X-reality museums: unifying the virtual and real world towards realistic virtual museums. Appl. Sci. 11(1), 338 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Southgate, E., et al.: Embedding immersive virtual reality in classrooms: ethical, organisational and educational lessons in bridging research and practice. Int. J. Child Comput. Interact. 19, 19–29 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2018.10.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Albus, P., Vogt, A., Seufert, T.: Signaling in virtual reality influences learning outcome and cognitive load. Comput. Educ. 166, 104154 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Pellas, N., Mystakidis, S., Kazanidis, I.: Immersive virtual reality in K-12 and higher education: a systematic review of the last decade scientific literature. Virtual Real 25(3), 835–861 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-020-00489-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Radianti, J., Majchrzak, T.A., Fromm, J., Wohlgenannt, I.: A systematic review of immersive virtual reality applications for higher education: design elements, lessons learned, and research agenda. Comput. Educ. 147, 103778 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. M. D. Kickmeier-Rust, N. Peirce, O. Conlan, D. Schwarz, D. Verpoorten, and D. Albert, “Immersive Digital Games: The Interfaces for Next-Generation E-Learning?,” in Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), Springer Verlag, 2007, pp. 647–656. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73283-9_71

  11. Strzys, M.P., et al.: Augmenting the thermal flux experiment: a mixed reality approach with the HoloLens. Phys. Teach. 55(6), 376–377 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4999739

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Fabregas, E., Dormido-Canto, S., Dormido, S.: Virtual and remote laboratory with the ball and plate system. IFAC-PapersOnLine 50(1), 9132–9137 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2017.08.1716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Zafeiropoulou, M., Volioti, C., Keramopoulos, E., Sapounidis, T.: Developing physics experiments using augmented reality game-based learning approach: a pilot study in primary school. Computers 10(10), 126 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/computers10100126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Achuthan, K., et al.: The VALUE @ Amrita virtual labs project: using web technology to provide virtual laboratory access to students. In: 2011 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, IEEE, pp. 117–121 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/GHTC.2011.79

  15. Martínez, H., Fabry, T., Laukkanen, S., Mattila, J., Tabourot, L.: Augmented reality aiding collimator exchange at the LHC. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 763, 354–363 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2014.06.037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Alves, S., Marques, A., Queirós, C., Orvalho, V.: LifeisGame prototype: a serious game about emotions for children with autism spectrum disorders. PsychNol. J. 11(3), 191–211 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Oliveira, V., Coelho, A., Guimarães, R., Rebelo, C.: Serious game in security: a solution for security trainees. Procedia Comput. Sci. 15, 274–282 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2012.10.079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Khan, S.A.: Serious games and gamification: science education. Syst. Lit. Rev. (2020). https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202011.0280.v1

  19. Baceviciute, S., Terkildsen, T., Makransky, G.: Remediating learning from non-immersive to immersive media: using EEG to investigate the effects of environmental embeddedness on reading in Virtual Reality. Comput. Educ. 164, 104122 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.104122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Chen, F.-Q., et al.: Effectiveness of virtual reality in nursing education: meta-analysis. J. Med. Internet Res. 22(9), e18290 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2196/18290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Maulana, F.I., Purnomo, A.: Development of virtual reality application to increase student learning motivation with interactive learning in vocational education. IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng. 1071(1), 012019 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1071/1/012019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Olmedo-Vizueta, D., Hernandez-Ambato, J., Ávila-Pesantez, D., Bilotta, E., Pantano, P.: VALE-Emotions : Aplicación móvil de enseñanza para individuos con Desordenes del Espectro Autista. Enfoque UTE 8(1), 358–373 (2017). http://ingenieria.ute.edu.ec/enfoqueute/index.php/revista/article/view/145

  23. Paredes-Velastegui, D., Lluma-Noboa, A., Olmedo-Vizueta, D., Avila-Pesantez, D., Hernandez-Ambato, J.: Augmented reality implementation as reinforcement tool for public textbooks education in Ecuador. In: 2018 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), IEEE, pp. 1243–1250 (2018).https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON.2018.8363372

  24. Thees, M., Kapp, S., Strzys, M.P., Beil, F., Lukowicz, P., Kuhn, J.: Effects of augmented reality on learning and cognitive load in university physics laboratory courses. Comput. Human Behav. 108, 106316 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Suprapto, N., Nandyansah, W.: PicsAR: a physics visualisation to enhance students’ thinking skills in abstract concepts. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 1805(1), 012024 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1805/1/012024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Lungu, A.J., Swinkels, W., Claesen, L., Tu, P., Egger, J., Chen, X.: A review on the applications of virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality in surgical simulation: an extension to different kinds of surgery. Expert Rev. Med. Devices 18(1), 47–62 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/17434440.2021.1860750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Doerner, R., Horst, R.: Overcoming challenges when teaching hands-on courses about virtual reality and augmented reality: methods, techniques and best practice. Graph. Visual Comput. 6, 200037 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gvc.2021.200037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kapp, S., et al.: Augmenting Kirchhoff’s laws: Using augmented reality and smartglasses to enhance conceptual electrical experiments for high school students. Phys. Teach. 57(1), 52–53 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1119/1.5084931

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Strzys, M.P., et al.: Physics holo.lab learning experience: using smartglasses for augmented reality labwork to foster the concepts of heat conduction. Eur. J. Phys. 39(3), 035703 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aaa8fb

  30. Tsivitanidou, O.E., Georgiou, Y., Ioannou, A.: A learning experience in inquiry-based physics with immersive virtual reality: student perceptions and an interaction effect between conceptual gains and attitudinal profiles. J. Sci. Educ. Technol. 30(6), 841–861 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-021-09924-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Georgiou, Y., Tsivitanidou, O., Ioannou, A.: Learning experience design with immersive virtual reality in physics education. Educ. Tech. Res. Dev. 69(6), 3051–3080 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-10055-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Tscholl, M., Morphew, J.W., Lindgren, R.: Inferences on enacted understanding: using immersive technologies to assess intuitive physical science knowledge. Inf. Learn. Sci. (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  33. De Lope, R.P., Medina-Medina, N.: A comprehensive taxonomy for serious games. J. Educ. Comput. Res. 55(5), 629–672 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633116681301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. De Gloria, A., Bellotti, F., Berta, R.: Serious games for education and training. Int. J. Ser. Games 1(1) (2014). https://doi.org/10.17083/ijsg.v1i1.11

  35. Gouveia, D., Lopes, D., de Carvalho, C.V.: Serious gaming for experiential learning. In: 2011 Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), IEEE, pp. T2G-1−T2G-6 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2011.6142778

  36. Faridi, H., Tuli, N., Mantri, A., Singh, G., Gargrish, S.: A framework utilizing augmented reality to improve critical thinking ability and learning gain of the students in Physics. Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ. 29(1), 258–273 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Ismail, A., Gumilar, S., Amalia, I.F., Bhakti, D.D., Nugraha, I.: Physics learning media based Augmented Reality (AR) for electricity concepts. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 1402(6), 066035 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1402/6/066035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Jensen, L., Konradsen, F.: A review of the use of virtual reality head-mounted displays in education and training. Educ. Inf. Technol. 23, 1515–1529 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-017-9676-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Khosrawi-Rad, B., Schlimbach, R., Strohman, T., Robra-Bissantz, S.: Design knowledge for virtual learning companions. In: Conference: International Conference on Information Systems Education and Research (ICISER in conjunction with ICIS 2022) December 2022

    Google Scholar 

  40. Pérez-Colado, V.M., Pérez-Colado, I.J., Freire-Morán, M., Martínez-Ortiz, I., Fernández-Manjón, B.: uAdventure: simplifying narrative serious games development. In: 2019 IEEE 19th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), Maceio, Brazil, pp. 119–123 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1109/ICALT.2019.00030

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank to Corporación Ecuatoriana para el Desarrollo de la Investigación y Academia - CEDIA for the financial support given to the present research, development, and innovation work through its CEPRA program, especially for the CEPRA XVI-18: "Uso de tecnologías inmersivas en la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la Física Moderna" fund.

The immersive program for Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 is free to use and can be found here: Haldron.09.apk (is necessary use Sidequest to install it into the Oculus).

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11SJObnlkbnVi89OjggM6aAsfhXPk_Jza?usp=sharing There is a folder with the questions and data collected in the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physics and Nanotechnology, Yachay Tech University, Urcuqui Imbabura, Ecuador

    Silvio Perez, Veronica Martinez-Gallego & Juan Lobos

  2. Escuela Superior Politecnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador

    Diana Olmedo

  3. University of the People, Pasadena, USA

    Fancois Baquero

Authors
  1. Silvio Perez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Diana Olmedo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fancois Baquero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Veronica Martinez-Gallego
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Juan Lobos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juan Lobos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas, Bogota, Colombia

    Hector Florez

  2. Universidad Ecotec, Guayaquil, Ecuador

    Marcelo Leon

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Perez, S., Olmedo, D., Baquero, F., Martinez-Gallego, V., Lobos, J. (2024). Design and Validation of a Virtual Reality Scenery for Learning Radioactivity: HalDron Project. In: Florez, H., Leon, M. (eds) Applied Informatics. ICAI 2023. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1874. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46813-1_30

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46813-1_30

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-46812-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-46813-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation