Abstract
The present research investigates the state-of-the-art concerning virtual and augmented reality lab environments, in science teaching and learning. Both environments are suggested as most appropriate for science education. The study explores the extent to which research has progressed concerning these new tools, while focusing on the extent to which actual educational trials in science classrooms have been completed. To this effect, 19 research papers were identified and reviewed. Conclusions are drawn as regards the effectiveness of these two lab environment types as a function of the age of students, today. The creation of educational VR and AR that resembles reality so closely that it is hard to differentiate between virtual, augmented, and real, thus creating a unified continuum, seems to finally be within our grasp, yet further research is needed as to their optimum use.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tsihouridis, Ch., Batsila, M., Vavougios, D., Ioannidis, G.S.: The timeless controversy between virtual and real laboratories in science education-“And the winner is…”. In: Auer, M.E., Guralnick, D., Simonics, I. (eds.) Teaching and Learning in a Digital World. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol. 2, pp. 1539–1550. Springer, Cham (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-732014-6_20. ISBN 978-3-319-73203-9
Jonassen, D.H.: Computers as Mindtools for Schools: Engaging Critical Thinking, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, New Jersey (2000). 297 pages
Han, I., Black, J.B.: Incorporating haptic feedback in simulation for learning physics. Comput. Educ. 57, 2281–2290 (2011)
Freitas, R., Campos, P.: SMART: a SysteM of augmented reality for teaching 2nd grade students. In: Proceedings of the 22nd British HCI Group Annual Conference on HCI 2008: People and Computers XXII: Culture, Creativity, Interaction - Volume 2, BCS HCI, Liverpool, pp. 27–30 (2008)
Cai, S., Chiang, F.K., Wang, X.: Using the augmented reality 3-D technique for a convex imaging experiment in a physics course. Int. J. Eng. Educ. 29(4), 856–865 (2013)
Chiang, T.H.C., Yang, S.J.H., Hwang, G.J.: An Augmented reality-based mobile learning system to improve students’ learning achievements and motivations in natural science inquiry activities. Educ. Technol. Soc. 17(4), 352–365 (2014)
Tsihouridis, Ch., et al.: The optimum equilibrium when using experiments in teaching. Submitted to International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP)
Ahn, S., Ames, A.J., Myers, N.D.: A review of meta-analysis in education: methodological strengths and weaknesses. Rev. Educ. Res. 82(4), 436–476 (2016)
Shelby, L.B., Vaske, J.J.: Understanding meta-analysis: a review of the methodological literature. Leis. Sci. 30, 96–110 (2008)
Sapounidis, Th., Demetriadis, S.: Tangible versus graphical user interfaces for robot programming: exploring cross-age children’s preferences. Pers. Ubiquit. Comput. 17, 1775–1786 (2013)
Bakas, Ch., Katsikis, A., Mikropoulos, T.: Virtual reality as a mental representations creation tool: a science example. In: Dimitrakopoulou, A. (ed.) Proceedings of the 3rd Conference ETPE (ICT in Education), Volume B, Aegean University, Rhodes, pp. 37–46 (2002)
Patsalou, Th., Charitos, D., Martakos, D.: Evaluating the use of virtual environment to support chemistry teaching. In: Dimitrakopoulou, A. (ed.) Proceedings of the 3rd Conference ETPE (ICT in Education), Volume B, Aegean University, Rhodes, pp. 491–496 (2002)
Ibanez-Espiga, B.M.: Experimenting with electromagnetism using augmented reality: impact on flow student experience and educational effectiveness. Comput. Educ. 71, 1–13 (2014)
Hsu, Y.-S., Lin, Y.-H., Yang, B.: Impact of augmented reality lessons on students’ STEM interest. Res. Pract. Technol. Enhanc. Learn. 12, 2–14 (2017)
Pirker, J., Lesjak, I.: An educational physics laboratory in mobile versus room scale virtual reality – a comparative study. i-JOE 13(8), 106–120 (2017)
Trindade, J., Fiolhais, C., Almeida, L.: Science learning in virtual environments: a descriptive study. Br. J. Educ. Technol. 33(4), 2–18 (2002)
Akai, C.: Depth perception in real and virtual environments. An exploration of individual differences, Thesis for the Degree of Master of Science, School of Interactive Arts & Technology, University of British Columbia (1998). 109 pages
Crăciun, D., Bunoiu, M.: Boosting physics education through mobile augmented reality. In: TIM17 Physics Conference, AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 1916, pp. 050003-1–050003-6. AIP Publishing (2017). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5017456. ISBN 978-0-7354-1608-6, pp. 1–6
Strzys, M.P., Kapp, S., Thees, M., Klein, P., Lukowicz, P., Knierim, P., Schmidt, A., Kuhn, J.: Physics holo.lab learning experience: using smartglasses for augmented reality labwork to foster the concepts of heat conduction. Eur. J. Phys., 1–14 (2018)
Huang, K.-T., Ball, C., Francis, J., Ratan, R., Boumis, J., Fordham, J.: Augmented versus virtual reality in education: an exploratory study examining science knowledge retention when using augmented reality/virtual reality mobile applications. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 22(2), 105–110 (2018)
Tibola, L.R., Herpich, F., Fernanda da Silva, P., Tarouco, L.M.R.: Experience in teaching science in virtual environment. Int. J. Innov. Educ. Res. 7(4), 23–43 (2019)
Hussein, M., Natterdal, C.: The benefits of virtual reality in education – a comparison study, Bachelor of Science Thesis in Software Engineering and Management, University of Gothenburg Sweden, pp. 1–15 (2015)
Techakosit, S., Nilsook, P.: Using augmented reality for teaching physics. In: Proceedings of International e-Learning Conference, IEC, Global Trends in Digital Leaning, BITEC Banga, Bangkok, Thailand, pp. 282–285 (2015)
Nielsen, B.L., Brandt, H., Swensen, H.: Augmented reality in science education - affordances for student learning. NORDINA 12(2), 152–174 (2016)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Tsichouridis, C., Batsila, M., Vavougios, D., Ioannidis, G. (2020). Virtual and Augmented Reality in Science Teaching and Learning. In: Auer, M., Hortsch, H., Sethakul, P. (eds) The Impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution on Engineering Education. ICL 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1134. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40274-7_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40274-7_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-40273-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-40274-7
eBook Packages: Intelligent Technologies and RoboticsIntelligent Technologies and Robotics (R0)