Active Learning through an Immersive Virtual Reality Environment IVR
Principal Supervisors

Professor Chan King Ming
(School of Life Sciences)
Professor Vivian W.Y. Lee
(School of Pharmacy)
Dr. Frankie Wong
(Department of Geography and Resource Management)
Professor Morris S.Y. Jong
(Department of Curriculum and Instruction)
Dr. Paula Hodgson
(CLEAR)
Duration

1 year and 7 months
Approved Budget

HK $800,000
 
  • Abstract
  • Brief write-up

Abstract

Immersive reality environments (IVEs) can provide opportunities for learners to have an experience that perceptually surrounds them and enables them to have a sense of presence or actually being within it. Learners can interact with the IVE using a perceptual channel, e.g., by wearing a head-mounted display [HMD] with digital displays that project VEs. This may allow learners to visualize from two to three dimensions of an environment or an object, experience simulated situations to explore virtual locations as preparation for or replacement for actual visits or field exploration, interact with simulated clients or patients, simulate experiments and processes, and take actions while interacting with the virtual environment or object. This type of learning experience can be applied in disciplines including life sciences, medical sciences, geography and resource management, education, law, architecture, archaeology, history, and business in the university. This project provides an authentic learning experience that may encourage learners to make inquiries and provoke reconceptualization of knowledge through experiencing and experimenting in the virtual setting. Most importantly, this project can bring enriched learning experiences across disciplines because research findings support positive learning outcomes: learners can find it easier to understand abstract concepts in three dimensions, bridge space over time, and examine trends and changes.

Brief write-up

Project objectives

Immersive reality environments (IVEs) can provide opportunities for learners to have an experience that perceptually surrounds them and enables them to have a sense of presence or actually being within it. Learners can interact with the IVE using a perceptual channel, e.g., by wearing a head-mounted display (HMD) with digital displays that project VEs. This project has developed a cohesive and collaborative team among the project supervisors to develop various platforms and tools for effective students learning. Most importantly, this project can bring enriched learning experiences across disciplines because research findings support positive learning outcomes: learners and students can find it easier to understand abstract concepts in three dimensions, bridge space over time, and examine trends and changes.

Activities, process outcomes, deliverables and evaluation

Professor Chan Chung Shing Johnson (Department of Geography and Resource Management):
  1. Lai Chi Wo (Summer & winter) https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/laichiwo-vr/index.html;
  2. Jao Tsung-I Academy https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/urban-tourism/urbanVR/JaoTsung.html ;
  3. West Kowloon Cultural District https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/urban-tourism/urbanVR/West_Kowloon.html ;
  4. Peng Chau https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/urban-tourism/urbanVR/pengchau/pengchau.html
Professor Vivian W.Y. Lee (School of Pharmacy)
  1. STEMI tour;
  2. Heart Failure; and
  3. Thromboembolism.
  • Version: HTC VIVE, Mobile and Web https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/pharmacy-vr/index.html
  • Two VR clinical cases were developed in the area of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart failure (HF). The 2 cases were prepared based on the real-world cases that we saw at the Prince of Wales Hospital. They were used in the PHAR 3413 “Pharmacology and Therapeutics II” class on 4 and 25 October 2017. This is the first time that we use VR technology for pharmacy education in Hong Kong. In 2018, the 3 VR clinical cases were used on 9 and 30 October 2018.
Professor Alfred Cheng (School of Biomedical Science)
  • Pharmacogenomics DNA test
  • Web version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSf6ndKXyAk&feature=youtu.be
Professor Chan King Ming (School of Life Sciences)
  1. Lung Fu Shan;
  2. Deep Bay;
  3. Tai O; and
  4. Sha Lo Tung Paradise.
  • Version: 360 video + drone https://s3.amazonaws.com/aws-website-shalotung-wip-p9b8e/index.html
  • Four Field Venture on-line trips have been created with this new VR version and being used in ENSC2270 “Introduction to Environmental Science”, GESC1160A “Environmental Problems in Hong Kong”, and GESC1160B “Environmental Problems in Hong Kong”.
Professor Chan King Ming/Dr. Patrick Ngai (School of Life Sciences)
  • Biomolecule (HTC Vive)
  • https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/biomolecules/BioMoleculeVR_0208.zip
  • https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/biomolecules/MAC_ver.zip
Professor Poemen Chan (Faculty of Medicine)
  • Preliminary test for Ophthalmology

Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices

In addition to presentation at the Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo of CUHK in 2017, five publications and two presentations have been derived from this TDLEG project so far.