TITLE:
An Evaluation of Immersive Laboratory in Microbiology Teachings
AUTHORS:
Eduardo F. Damasceno, Larissa B. Fernandes, Armando P. Da Silva, Sara T. Moreira
KEYWORDS:
Microbiological Studies, Virtual Laboratory, Virtual Reality, User Experience
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.15 No.8,
August
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: Traditional teaching methods in microbiology often face limitations due to high costs associated with physical laboratories, leading to superficial understanding of microbiology concepts. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a virtual microbiology laboratory in enhancing teaching and learning microbiology concepts, addressing the shortcomings of traditional methods. A virtual laboratory was developed utilizing VR technology, incorporating Cardboard Glasses and Bluetooth joystick controls. Blender was used for object modeling, and OpenSpace 3D served as the digital content creator. Twenty undergraduate biological sciences students participated, utilizing Cardboard-style devices and joystick controls. Three teaching methods—Exposition, Navigation, and Interaction with virtual objects—were employed. General usability heuristics were evaluated to identify didactic sequence flaws and assess comprehension. The study demonstrated the efficacy of VR technology in teaching detailed microbiology content, enhancing students’ visual understanding and interpretation of concepts. The virtual laboratory facilitated immersive experiences, leading to improved comprehension among students. The findings underscore the advantages of employing a virtual microbiology laboratory to augment teaching and learning processes. VR technology offers immersive experiences that aid in effectively grasping complex microbiology concepts, thereby advancing microbiology education.