DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUAL ENGINEERING LAB

Virtual reality (VR) is a method of immersing a person into a virtual environment by using a headset with a screen and lenses to simulate a 3D experience. This project aims to test the effect of using VR in engineering laboratories to improve the quality of teaching in Science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) subjects. In this study, VR technology was used to design and develop an engineering laboratory. This would illustrate the fundamental concepts taught in the real laboratory to the Mechanical engineers. The VR lab was created using Unity, a game development software. The VR lab was tested with students from the School of Engineering and Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick. Students participating in the study were given two identical assessments, one before and one after being in the VR lab experience. The difference in student learning depicted by assessment scores was compared to the result attained from the students exposed to the traditional learning style. A final questionnaire was given to each participant, allowing them to share their opinion and show their emotions towards their learning method. It was observed that students attained better assessment scores when exposed to the VR lab experience. In addition, positive comments were received from students, stating they found VR to be an engaging platform for learning.