Developing a virtual physics world

Authors

  • Margaret Wegener The University of Queensland
  • Timothy J. McIntyre The University of Queensland
  • Dominic McGrath The University of Queensland
  • Craig M. Savage The Australian National University
  • Michael Williamson The Australian National University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.847

Abstract

In this article, the successful implementation of a development cycle for a physics teaching package based on game-like virtual reality software is reported. The cycle involved several iterations of evaluating students' use of the package followed by instructional and software development. The evaluation used a variety of techniques, including ethnographic observation, surveys, student focus groups and conventional assessment. The teaching package included a laboratory manual, instructional support materials and the Real Time Relativity software that simulates a world obeying special relativistic physics. Although the iterative development cycle was time consuming and costly, it gave rise to substantial improvements in the software user interface and in the students' learning experience.

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Author Biographies

  • Margaret Wegener, The University of Queensland
    Lecturer and First-Year Teaching DirectorSchool of Mathematics and PhysicsThe University of Queensland
  • Timothy J. McIntyre, The University of Queensland
    Senior Lecturer and Head of PhysicsSchool of Mathematics and PhysicsThe University of Queensland
  • Dominic McGrath, The University of Queensland
    eLearning Designer
    Teaching and Educational Development Institute (TEDI)
    The University of Queensland
  • Craig M. Savage, The Australian National University
    Physics Education Centre, Research School of Physics and Engineering
    The Australian National University
  • Michael Williamson, The Australian National University
    Software Engineer
    Physics Education Centre, Research School of Physics and Engineering
    The Australian National University

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Published

2012-04-25

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 3 (2012): Australasian Journal of Educational Technology

Section

Articles

License

Articles published in the Australasian Journal of Educational Technology (AJET) are available under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Authors retain copyright in their work and grant AJET right of first publication under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

This copyright notice applies to articles published in AJET volumes 36 onwards. Please read about the copyright notices for previous volumes under Journal History.

How to Cite

Wegener, M., McIntyre, T. J., McGrath, D., Savage, C. M., & Williamson, M. (2012). Developing a virtual physics world. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 28(3). https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.847