Evaluating Students' Learning and Attitudes in a Virtual Chemistry Laboratory

该项目正在调查学生在“第二人生”的3D沉浸式虚拟世界中进行模拟化学实验室实验的好处。佛罗里达理工学院（Florida Institute of Technology）的研究人员正在创建环境和虚拟实验室，这些实验室是对现实世界模拟物的真实、完全互动的模拟。该项目将邀请德克萨斯州农工大学普通化学1实验室的多组学生在第二人生中完成数周的实验活动，以补充他们传统实验课程的剩余经验。其他部分的学生将只进行传统的实验室体验。无论是在传统实验室还是在虚拟环境中，这两个部分都在完成相同或几乎相同的体验。研究者正在回答两个研究问题：(i)传统或虚拟实验室环境如何影响学生实现实验室实验学习目标的能力，包括知识和动觉技能？（ii）实验室环境如何影响学生对在实验室学习化学和从事实验室工作的态度？该项目旨在了解学生在传统方式下进行的一般化学实验室活动与在包含社交互动的在线虚拟世界中进行的化学实验室活动的态度和内容知识。通过在线实习，该项目提供给所有学生，无论他们参加的是哪个学习群体，该项目正在衡量学生在动觉（“动手”）实验室技能方面的收获。先前的研究表明，虚拟实验室的经历会使学生对化学产生更有利的看法，并提高学习成绩。对这一结果的验证可以对化学入门实验室的教学方式产生变革性的影响。随着预算的挑战和人口的增长，其他高等教育机构可能有兴趣将虚拟实验室方法应用到他们自己的课程中。这个项目的结果可以帮助改善在线和远程教育方法的结果。虚拟实验室以其集成的社会方面，为更多的学生和代表性不足的群体的学生提供了获得高质量实验室教育的机会。

The project is investigating the benefits of students performing simulated chemistry laboratory experiments in the 3D immersive virtual world of Second Life. Researchers at Florida Institute of Technology are creating the environment and the virtual laboratories which are realistic, fully interactive simulations of their real world analogues. The project is engaging multiple sections of students enrolled in General Chemistry 1 Laboratory at Texas A&M University to complete several weeks of lab activities in Second Life to complement the remainder of their lab course experiences which are traditional. Other sections of students will conduct only traditional laboratory experiences. The two sections are completing identical or nearly identical experiences whether in the traditional lab or the virtual environment. The investigators are answering two research questions: (i) How does the traditional or virtual laboratory environment affect students' ability to achieve the learning goals of the laboratory experiment, including knowledge and kinesthetic skills? (ii) How does the laboratory environment affect students' attitudes towards learning chemistry in the laboratory and performing laboratory work?This project is providing understanding of students' attitudes and content knowledge of general chemistry laboratory activities performed in a traditional manner as compared to that performed in an online virtual world that also embraces social interactions. By the use of an on-line practicum, offered to all students regardless of the learning cohort in which they participated, the project is measuring students' gains in kinesthetic ("hands-on") laboratory skills.Prior research suggests that virtual laboratory experiences lead to more favorable opinions of chemistry by students, and to better academic performance. Verification of this outcome can have a transformative effect on the way introductory chemistry laboratories are taught. With challenged budgets and expanding populations, other institutions of higher education may be interested in adapting the Virtual Laboratory approach into their own curriculum. Results from this project could help improve the outcomes of on-line and distance education approaches. The virtual laboratory with its integrated social aspects, is providing more students, and students of underrepresented groups, with access to high quality laboratory education.