Date Thesis Awarded
5-2024
Access Type
Honors Thesis -- Open Access
Degree Name
Bachelors of Science (BS)
Department
Chemistry
Advisor
Dana Lashley
Committee Members
Elizabeth J. Harbron
Jordan Walk
Oliver Kerscher
Abstract
Understanding organic chemistry concepts heavily relies on visualization of the geometry of molecules and spatial arrangement of molecules during mechanisms. 2D textbook depictions have their limitations in visualizing the three-dimensionality of organic chemistry. Student learning outcomes could be greatly improved from 3D visualizations of these topics. This project explores the potential of an emerging technology, Virtual Reality (VR), being incorporated as a teaching resource for organic chemistry.
This paper discusses two trials for evaluating the potential of VR as a teaching resource for organic chemistry in select topics of the Diels-Alder reaction and R/S configurations and stereoisomers. The Diels-Alder reaction is a fundamental Nobel-Prize winning reaction taught in Organic Chemistry II. Experience has proven that students often struggle to visualize the transition state of this reaction and to predict the correct organic products, both in terms of regiochemistry and stereochemistry. R/S configurations and stereoisomers is a topic taught in Organic Chemistry I in which students often struggle to visualize 3D molecules to correctly assign the configuration of chirality centers and further determine the relationship between stereoisomers. Hence, we chose to develop VR organic chemistry learning exercises for these topics, which might enhance students’ understanding of the reaction compared to traditional teaching by taking advantage of the immersive and interactive experiences created by VR. This paper shows that VR tutorials have comparable student learning outcomes to traditional learning and students enjoyed learning with VR more than in a traditional classroom setting. The ethnicity or gender identity of the student did not seem to affect student benefits from the VR experience, which shows the potential of VR as an equitable teaching resource for organic chemistry. The methodology of VR development is also discussed in this paper as reference for future novice VR developers.
Recommended Citation
Shin, Jungmin, "Harnessing the Power of Virtual Reality for Organic Chemistry Education" (2024). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 2160.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/2160
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