Using Extended Reality to Close Equity Gaps in Laboratory Training

使用扩展现实缩小实验室培训中的公平差距

• 批准号: 2303007
• 负责人: Steven Cutchin
• 金额: $ 79.32万
• 依托单位: Boise State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-08-01 至 2026-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2303007&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Using; Extended; Reality; Close; Equity

Many undergraduates enter college level chemistry classes without prior experience in a chemistry lab, often due to unequal access to laboratory facilities in high school. Since lab experience is an integral component of most traditional chemistry courses, students arriving without this background can be at a disadvantage, creating feelings of anxiety that could lead to a lack of persistence in STEM pathways. This Research on Emerging Technologies for Teaching and Learning (RETTL) project will develop immersive XR (Extended Reality) and web-based (non-immersive) learning experiences for first-year college students taking chemistry lab courses. The technology proposed in this project will provide an effective introduction to the undergraduate chemistry lab that will reinforce their knowledge of chemistry terminology while minimizing anxiety associated with performing experiments for the first time in an unfamiliar and timed setting. Newly designed modules will orient incoming students to the chemistry laboratory and introduce them to experiments that augment the lecture portion of their courses. The purpose of these modules is to supplement and reinforce lab training through an active learning, multi-sensory learning interface. While many studies have focused on Virtual Reality (VR) experiences in education, this project specifically examines the emotional and cognitive impacts of Extended Reality interventions on students and aims to improve upon the technology, based on student feedback throughout the project. In addition, as the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted, there is a need to develop virtual educational tools that provide comparable experiences for all students. This project examines an innovative introduction to the chemistry lab experience by applying the use of virtual reality technology to chemistry education. The study will examine the extent to which VR and XR training modules can prepare students for entry to a chemistry lab course, reinforce conventional lab training, boost knowledge of chemistry literacy, and minimize anxiety associated with performing experiments. The project goal is to deliver transformative experiences through XR technology that will positively impact the ability of undergraduates in first-year chemistry courses to engage with and persist in scientific settings. The project will employ an inclusive design-centered approach to the development of the XR modules, where extensive suggestions from students and other stakeholders will refine and improve the technology.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.

许多本科生进入大学水平的化学课没有在化学实验室的经验，往往是由于在高中不平等的实验室设施。由于实验室经验是大多数传统化学课程不可或缺的组成部分，没有这种背景的学生可能处于不利地位，产生焦虑感，可能导致STEM途径缺乏持久性。这项研究新兴技术的教学和学习（RETTL）项目将开发沉浸式XR（延展实境）和基于网络的（非沉浸式）学习经验的一年级大学生采取化学实验室课程。本项目中提出的技术将为本科化学实验室提供有效的介绍，这将加强他们对化学术语的了解，同时最大限度地减少与在不熟悉和定时环境中首次进行实验相关的焦虑。新设计的模块将引导新入学的学生进入化学实验室，并向他们介绍增加课程讲座部分的实验。这些模块的目的是通过主动学习，多感官学习界面补充和加强实验室培训。虽然许多研究都集中在教育中的虚拟现实（VR）体验，但该项目专门研究了延展实境干预对学生的情感和认知影响，并旨在根据整个项目中学生的反馈改进技术。此外，正如新型冠状病毒疫情所强调的那样，有必要开发虚拟教育工具，为所有学生提供可比的体验。该项目通过将虚拟现实技术应用于化学教育，研究了对化学实验室体验的创新介绍。该研究将检查VR和XR培训模块在多大程度上可以帮助学生为进入化学实验室课程做好准备，加强传统的实验室培训，提高化学素养知识，并最大限度地减少与执行实验相关的焦虑。该项目的目标是通过XR技术提供变革性的体验，这将对一年级化学课程的本科生参与和坚持科学环境的能力产生积极影响。该项目将采用一种以设计为中心的包容性方法来开发XR模块，学生和其他利益相关者的广泛建议将完善和改进该技术。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。