Using Immersive Virtual Reality Technology to Enhance Drawing Activities in Undergraduate Chemistry Courses

Dana Antonucci-Durgan

Suffolk County Community College

2023

$14,300.00

Project Abstract:

This project will investigate the use of immersive virtual reality technology in chemistry classes to improve student learning through collaborative drawing activities. The Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) Library on the Eastern Campus has successfully incorporated virtual reality technology into college seminar, art and communication classes. This project will capitalize on the VR experience of SCCC Library and Chemistry faculty to investigate how immersive virtual reality technology can improve students' spatial ability associated with molecular geometry by 1) enhancing students' understanding of the transition from 2D paper drawings to 3D representations, 2) leveraging the collaborative nature of the VR lab to encourage dialog between students and the instructor, and 3) enhancing domain specific spatial ability within the virtual reality environment.