Integration of Virtual Reality (VR) to Support Technology-based Active-learning and Retention: iVR to STAR

历史悠久的黑人学院和大学本科课程通过加强科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)教育和研究，为增加学生数量和准备质量的努力提供支持，包括设计、实施、研究和评估。塔斯基吉大学的这个项目提供了一种战略方法，将航空航天工程、生物、数学、机械工程和物理的精选课程融入身临其境的虚拟现实课程。本科生作为研究人员参与了这个项目。这一为期两年的试点项目旨在确定将虚拟现实整合到本科STEM教育学习环境中的影响，确定虚拟现实技术在STEM本科教育中的挑战和局限性，并建立这种教学方法的最佳实践。该项目将通过以下方式实现这些目标：建立具有所需硬件和软件的基础设施，以开发、测试和实施关于选定的STEM专题的基于虚拟现实的课程；通过基于实验和动手技术的学习活动加强STEM概念；提高学生利用互动学习体验的参与度；以及通过融入虚拟现实技术的STEM课程改善学生的学习结果。该项目将使用定性和定量措施研究这一干预措施的效果。该项目将以形成性和终结性评估为指导。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program provides support to design, implement, study and assess efforts to increase the numbers of students and the quality of their preparation by strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and research. This project at Tuskegee University provides a strategic approach to infuse selected courses in aerospace engineering, biology, mathematics, mechanical engineering, and physics with immersive virtual reality lessons. Undergraduate students are involved in this project as researchers. This two-year pilot project has the goals to determine the impact of integrating virtual reality in the learning environment of undergraduate STEM education, to identify challenges and determine limitations of virtual reality technology in STEM undergraduate education, and to establish best practices of this pedagogical approach. The project will achieve these goals by: establishing an infrastructure with the required hardware and software to develop, test and implement virtual reality-based lessons on selected STEM topics; reinforcing STEM concepts through experimental and hands-on technology-based learning activities; increasing student engagement utilizing the interactive learning experience; and improving the learning outcomes of students with the virtual reality technology-infused STEM courses. The project will study the efficacy of this intervention using qualitative and quantitative measures. The project will be guided by formative and summative evaluation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.