Authors:
Diana Bogusevschi
and
Gabriel-Miro Muntean
Affiliation:
Dublin City University and Ireland
Keyword(s):
Virtual Reality, Virtual Laboratory, Computer-based Learning, TEL, Learner Experience, STEM, Primary School.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning Hardware and Software
;
Game-Based and Simulation-Based Learning
;
Immersive Learning
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Ubiquitous Learning
;
Virtual Labs and Virtual Classrooms
Abstract:
A technology-enhanced learning (TEL) application, “Water Cycle in Nature”, that focuses on the physics phenomena part of the natural water cycle and precipitation formation was employed in a small-scale educational pilot carried out in a primary school in Ireland, as part of the European Horizon 2020 NEWTON project. This application contains 3D immersive computer-based virtual reality and experimental laboratory simulations. 58 primary school children took part in this pilot, split in two groups, one control and one experimental, with 29 students in each. The goal of the study presented in this paper was to assess the benefits of the Water Cycle in Nature application both in learner experience and usability and knowledge gain. The results show good outcomes in usability and learner experience. In terms of knowledge gain it has been shown that the excitement of the experimental group students towards the game might have created a barrier in terms of learning improvement and the NEWTON
application will serve better as a revision tool.
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