TRAINING HIGHER EDUCATION BIOSCIENCE STUDENTS WITH VIRTUAL REALITY SIMULATOR

Autors/ores

  • Christos Kaltsidis Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
  • Katerina Kedraka Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
  • Maria E. Grigoriou Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejae.v6i1.3748

Paraules clau:

virtual reality, learning experience, simulator, laboratory exercises

Resum

Laboratory training is the cornerstone of science education in higher education. However, in several cases hands-on experimental procedures are not possible, and therefore technology provide alternative educational methods. One of the rapidly evolving technologies, namely Virtual Reality (VR) can offer multiple benefits in laboratory training through the development of simulations and virtual laboratories that support, facilitate, and promote an effective their learning experience. We present an empirical research carried out at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the Democritus University of Thrace during the winter semester of the academic year 2020-2021. 51 undergraduate students carried out a Virtual Reality activity aiming to train them to the use of a Class II Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) in an immersive virtual environment. Our results show that VR approach was highly and enthusiastically accepted by the students; they reported that they had an authentic learning experience which enabled them to better achieve the learning objectives. However, in some cases symptoms like dizziness and blurry image were reported most likely due to equipment, showing that improvement of the equipment used in VR is needed.

Biografies de l'autor/a

  • Christos Kaltsidis, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
    Christos Kaltsidis is an ICT teacher in secondary education. He has studied Computer Science at the TEI of Thessaloniki and has a masters’ degree in Adult Education from the Hellenic Open University. He is a PhD candidate at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the Democritus University of Thrace and his research interests include the adaptation of Virtual Reality in Education, University Pedagogy, and Distance Education. He works as a detached member in the Laboratory of Teaching and Professional Development of Bioscientists.
  • Katerina Kedraka, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
    Katerina Kedraka (BA, MSc, PhD) is an Associate Professor of Teaching and Job Skills of Bioscientists in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics in Democritus University of Thrace. Her research and publications in international and Greek conferences, as well as in scientific journals, focus on Adult Education, Career Management, Pedagogy and Didactics. She is the Head of a master’s degree “Didactics of Biosciences” and she leads the Lab “Teaching and Professional Development of Bioscientists”. Recently she has been appointed as the manager of the Teaching and Learning Center of Democritus University of Thrace. Her scientific interests focus on University Pedagogy, Adult Education / Lifelong Learning, Career Management, Guidance, Gender Issues in education and employment.
  • Maria E. Grigoriou, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
    Maria E. Grigoriou (BSc, MSc, PhD) is Professor of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Head of the laboratory of Developmental Biology & Molecular Neurobiology at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and ERASMUS+ Institutional Coordinator at Democritus University of Thrace. Her recent scientific research work focuses on the development of novel tools and applications in molecular biosciences.

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Descàrregues

Publicat

2021-05-18

Número

Vol. 6 Núm. 1 (2021)

Secció

Articles

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