VRChem Project
Why Chemical Engineering and VR?
Chemical engineering is a complex and experiment-based scientific discipline, the development of which is necessary because of the due to the needs of rapidly growing industry and energy-saving technologies, as well as the protection of the environment. The development of this discipline is inevitably linked to the performance of experiments, which are often limited by the speed of reaction (the required reaction time is too long), cost, safety and other issues arising from their
special properties. Another problem associated with the traditional chemical engineering curriculum is the inability to work with actual industrial plant equipment due to the scale of the apparatuses, but also other technical and safety limitations. Students in chemical engineering classes learn theory, but find it difficult to effectively apply concepts in practice to become competent engineers.
special properties. Another problem associated with the traditional chemical engineering curriculum is the inability to work with actual industrial plant equipment due to the scale of the apparatuses, but also other technical and safety limitations. Students in chemical engineering classes learn theory, but find it difficult to effectively apply concepts in practice to become competent engineers.
With increasing technological advances, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, new information and communication technologies are widely used in teaching and for educational purposes. These include virtual reality (VR) technologies which are highly immersive, interactive, highly sensory. VR is a good medium for presenting three-dimensional objects and concepts, the subject matter of the classes that were discussed earlier. Referring to the project’s main priority, students’ VR experiences can make chemical engineering more interesting and allow them to develop their skills, thus stimulating innovative learning and teaching practices. What’s more, VR enabled students to explore 3D elements in a fascinating way that can usually only be seen on the pages of a textbook or educational videos. In a VR environment, it is possible to create highly realistic and immersive simulations that convey a sense of spatial awareness beyond the capabilities of traditional video.
One of the biggest advantages of educational virtual reality is that it reinforces material taught through other channels, which increases the long-term retention of course material. In a VR environment, it is possible to create highly realistic and immersive simulations that convey a sense of spatial awareness beyond the capabilities of traditional video. Regarding the second selected priority, i.e. supporting the digital and green potential of the higher education sector, it
should be mentioned that for academics who have not previously been exposed to the VR environment, it can be very difficult to implement this technology in the course of teaching due to the issue of acquiring qualitatively appropriate VR content, as well as the development of classroom methodologies. In order to solve the above problems, the project plans to support digital potential in an international inter-university environment with a wealth of VR experience by developing
materials, training and subject content to improve the process.
should be mentioned that for academics who have not previously been exposed to the VR environment, it can be very difficult to implement this technology in the course of teaching due to the issue of acquiring qualitatively appropriate VR content, as well as the development of classroom methodologies. In order to solve the above problems, the project plans to support digital potential in an international inter-university environment with a wealth of VR experience by developing
materials, training and subject content to improve the process.
Project objectives:
Creation of the VR course framework, methodology and the trainer’s materials for university teachers available in 5
languages (EN, PL, PT, ES, IT).
languages (EN, PL, PT, ES, IT).
Setting up the inter-university platform for VR courses available in 5 languages (EN, PL, PT, ES, IT).
Carrying out VR and train the trainer’s pilot courses for student and teachers.
Conduct a Final Multiplier Event to share experiences in the implementation of VR technology at the university
Planned activities:
Gathering best practices and knowledge to be processed in the curriculum of VR course and VR platform for all target
groups.
groups.
Implementation of prepared courses materials in project partners.
Implementation of inter-university platform for VR courses in project partners.
Pilot testing of VR and train the trainer’s courses for all target groups.
Project sustainability and dissemination actionsList item
Project results
A proven, international methodology of supporting students and teachers in VR environment in 5 languages (EN, PL, PT, ES, IT).
A VR course on an e-learning platform in 5 languages (EN, PL, PT, ES, IT).
A VR platform dedicated to chemical issues in 5 languages (EN, PL, PT, ES, IT).
At least 80 students trained in the VR courses pilot.
At least 24 trainers trained in the pilot “train-the-trainer”.
Distributed information about VR in project partners environment.
About VRChem project in Project Results Platform in official website of the European Union