In physics education, laboratory experiments are a key element of learning physics as it allows students to apply the scientific theories into practice. However, traditional hands-on laboratories face great challenges due to large student enrollment and shortage of class time and lab space. To overcome those challenges, a blended learning approach was implemented in this study which combines a hands-on lab with a virtual lab. The lab instruments and lab environment used in the virtual laboratory were created using 3D Unity WebGL. Participants of this study were year-one undergraduate students in two different groups. Students from the experiment group performed the experiment in the virtual laboratory prior to the hands-on lab session while the control group conducted the same experiment in hands-on laboratory without the participation in virtual laboratory. In this study, student engagement, lab performance and their attitudes toward the virtual learning experiences were used to examine the effect of virtual laboratory in combination with hands-on laboratory. The findings from this study showed that students in a blended learning environment were more engaged and performed significantly better than students in a traditional setting. This confirmed the results from previous studies that virtual laboratory can supplement traditional hands-on laboratory, providing students with flexibility and wide access to learning resources.

Authors:
Yan Zhao, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University, China
Thijs Kouwenhoven, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University, China
Gang Liu, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University, China
Xi Chen, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University, China
Hao Yu, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University, China

About the Presenter(s)
Yan Zhao is currently a teaching lecturer in the Department of Physics at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University. Her interests include STEM education, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence in higher education.

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