Chemistry instructor Don Carpenetti and Craven CC student Vy Tran presented a paper at the National Science Teaching Association's national meeting in Houston on April 2. A description from the conference program reads:
Using Virtual Reality (VR) as a Supplement to Lab Activities in Chemistry Classes
A virtual reality chemistry activity was evaluated as a supplement to laboratory instruction for first-year college chemistry classes.
Takeaways:
1. Virtual reality offers an engaging and kinesthetic way to supplement lab-based instruction;
2. The virtual environment can evaluate student lab performance on a level that can't be duplicated in a laboratory setting; and
3. VR offers an effective source of remediation for students lagging in laboratory skills.