Abstract
Deep learning of science involves integration of existing knowledge and normative science concepts. Past research demonstrates that combining physical and virtual labs sequentially or side by side can take advantage of the unique affordances each provides for helping students learn science concepts. However, providing simultaneously connected physical and virtual experiences has the potential to promote connections among ideas. This paper explores the effect of augmenting a virtual lab with physical controls on high school chemistry students’ understanding of gas laws. We compared students using the augmented virtual lab to students using a similar sensor-based physical lab with teacher-led discussions. Results demonstrate that students in the augmented virtual lab condition made significant gains from pretest and posttest and outperformed traditional students on some but not all concepts. Results provide insight into incorporating mixed-reality technologies into authentic classroom settings.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant IIS-1123868. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The authors would like to thank the teachers and students who participated in this project. Special thanks to Charles Xie and Edmund Hazzard at the Concord Consortium for design and development of the Frame technology and curriculum used in this study.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Chao, J., Chiu, J.L., DeJaegher, C.J. et al. Sensor-Augmented Virtual Labs: Using Physical Interactions with Science Simulations to Promote Understanding of Gas Behavior. J Sci Educ Technol 25, 16–33 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-015-9574-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-015-9574-4