Adventures in MET Land

ETEC 533 Handhelds, VR, and Haptics Discussion Form Questions

2. Describe the nature of the activities that may have been central, in your opinion, to the learning experiences described in the papers you have read.

Haptic interfaces provide users the sense of touch and force (Williams, Chen, & Seaton, 2003). Research is being conducted to create virtual environments that include the sense of touch to reinforce learning. Clark and Jorde (2004) found that providing students with the illusion of touch helped students understand thermodynamic equilibrium better. Where, Williams, Chen, and Seaton (2003) noted that the actual sense of touch and force through a joy stick enhanced student understanding of work/force in simple machines. In both situations (thermodynamics and simple machines) the researchers where trying to increase students understanding through the sense of touch.

Clark and Jorde (2004) created two simulations. One simulation used visuals to indicate the temperature of an object and to indicate that amount of heat being emitted or absorbed by the object. The other simulation had the visual characteristics as the first. However, it also included a moveable hand that could be brought near the objects under investigation. Once the hand was near a word cloud would pop up stating “this is cold” (pg. 7) or “this feels painfully hot” (pg. 14). Audio files stating the same thing as what was said in the word cloud were also played. They found that students who participated within the sense of touch environment obtained a better understanding of thermodynamic equilibrium.

Williams, Chen, and Seaton (2003) created five different virtual simple machines. Each machine allowed the user to alter a set of machine specifications. For example the number of pulleys in a pulley system or the type of lever in a simple lever machine could be altered within the created virtual world. These changes would either cause the user to have to apply more/less force via the joy stick or decrease/increase the time required to move the joy stick in order to use the simple machine. Like Clark and Jorde (2004) Williams, Chen, and Seaton (2003) noted that students felt they learnt more about simple machines through Haptic interaction.

I agree with the researchers findings that tactile or the sense of tactile learning will help students understand concepts. Student learning is enhanced with increased forms of environmental stimulus. However, these environments should be used in conjunction with hands on learning. Students need to learn how to do things with their hands. These virtual environments will afford instructors with the ability to reinforce concepts. Moreover, more time for hands on labs may be created as the instructor will most likely have to spend less time teaching the concepts.

Cheers,

Dale

References:

Clark, D. & Jorde, D.  (2004). Helping students revise disruptive experientially supported ideas about thermodynamics: Computer visualizations and tactile models.  Journal of Research in Science Teaching,41(1), pp. 1-23.

Williams II, R.L., Chen, M., & Seaton, J.M.  (2003).  Haptics-augmented simple-machine educational tools.  Journal of Science Education and Technology, 12(1), pp. 1-12.

Discussion Comments:

The idea of using virtual reality with the sense of touch is very interesting. Prior and during the writing process of the above discussion post I asked myself, why virtual when you can do real labs if you are looking to emulate the real world. Through out this course we have looked at methods of creating real world experiences in the virtual world. Why not live in the real world. However, from participating within our class discussion, reading others responses, I now see value in virtual learning environments. Take haptics for example. Kathleen mentioned that haptics are a great way to train medical professionals, rather than testing on real people. That way when they are ready to practice on real people they will have a better sense of what they are doing. She agrees that the real world situations should never be lost, but indicates that virtual situations help people have an easier transition into the real environment.

Cheers,

D