Systematic Review of Virtual Reality Applications for Teaching Chemistry Using Meta Oculus Quest 2 and Testing of a Selected Application

Authors

Synopsis

Research shows that virtual reality holds significant potential to help students improve their skills and knowledge. In our investigation, we systematically examined possible applications for teaching chemistry using the Meta Oculus Quest 2 glasses based on selected criteria (cost, content, possibility of conducting virtual experiments, added value of VR technology). This was followed by a case study in which we tested the most suitable application, The VR Chemistry Lab, with six students from a general secondary school. The results showed students had a stronger interest in learning chemistry through the VR and revealed their awkwardness while working in the virtual lab, which calls for manual skills and techniques considerably different from work in a real lab. In the discussion, the urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to developing applications for virtual chemistry labs for teaching is stressed, for which collaboration between computer experts, chemists and chemistry educators is essential.

Author Biographies

Mojca Oprčkal, University of Maribor, Faculty of Education

Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: mojca.oprckal1@um.si

Vesna Hriberšek, University of Maribor, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: vesna.hribersek@student.um.si

Nika Golob, University of Maribor, Faculty of Education

Maribor, Slovenia. E-mail: nika.golob@um.si

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Published

September 18, 2024

How to Cite

Systematic Review of Virtual Reality Applications for Teaching Chemistry Using Meta Oculus Quest 2 and Testing of a Selected Application. (2024). In Interdisciplinary Research in Teaching and Learning: New Perspectives and Approaches (pp. 245-264). University of Maribor Press. https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/catalog/book/882/chapter/101