When virtual reality calls itself science

At the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme, a chemistry teacher uses virtual reality to help teach science. Cégep is among the pioneers
In the county in this region.

Christine Marquez has been a teacher at Cégep for ten years. Since 2014, she has been researching teaching practices and integrating virtual reality into post-secondary education.

“One of the problems I saw while researching teaching practices was that teachers primarily use so-called traditional teaching methods.”indicates.

facilitate learning

Thus, she saw that her second research project on virtual reality was a continuation. In collaboration with the University of Montreal, she is interested in integrating virtual reality to learn subjects such as biology, physics and chemistry. “Virtual reality offers many advantages, including offering a more creative approach,” argue.

In science, there are so many abstract and invisible concepts that it is difficult to imagine, explains the professor. “Virtual reality makes it possible to present a 3D environment that facilitates learning.” In addition, it can also positively affect the motivation of students.

For example, to understand the conservation of energy in physics, we will use the principles of virtual reality. Biology students can also use virtual reality to find themselves inside the human body, and visualize the heart. “It’s a great experienceNothing for students and teachers »Ms. Marquez confirms.

“Sometimes with textbooks it is hard to imagine understanding how a biological process works. The graphics are not clear. With what we offer, it becomes easier »The professor continues.

From exploratory to integration

Currently, CEGEP is still in scope “Exploratory Section”Kristen Marquez explains. As part of the research, the college provided a room with several pieces of equipment and everything connected to a high-performance computer. Students and teachers are invited to attend and experience virtual reality. “We gave interviews and also asked them to express out loud everything they felt during their experience.”

Discussions are underway with a view to offering courses with virtual reality headsets. “Can be used in some courses. We will choose the most relevant experiences”Ms. Maquis confirms.

Kristen Marques is also working on another research project with NovaScience with the goal of development “Fun, interactive and original applications based on 360-degree video or 3D virtual worlds”Can we read on Cégep’s website.

This spring, the researcher was selected among other peers to present her research project at the Conference of the International Association of Undergraduate Pedagogy (AIPU) in France.