Development of a Component-Oriented 3D Framework for Event Handling in Virtual Labs

Abstract

The 3D desktop simulation has recently become a highly innovative approach in science education by means of conducting safe, repeated and easy access laboratory practice lessons. Nevertheless, the traditional virtual labs tend to have rigid interaction schemes, high cognitive load and lack visual immersion, thus making it difficult for the learners to acquire spatial knowledge. The purpose of the current paper is to discuss the process of development of an all-encompassing Chemistry Laboratory 3D Simulation using the Unity Game Engine and component-based architecture. In order to solve the issue of disorientation and information overload, the designed system employs an on-demand, context-sensitive feedback system that projects labels of the objects in real-time raycast interaction with the mouse. Furthermore, in order to increase the spatial immersion of the learners in the non-immersive desktop environment, the hand-based interaction anchored model has been developed in order to conduct anatomically appropriate manipulation with lab equipment.