Applications of virtual reality in learning the photoelectric effect of liquid crystal display

Abstract

AbstractLiquid crystals are the matter in a state with properties between solid crystals and conventional liquids. Due to their special physical, chemical, and photoelectric properties, liquid crystals are often applied in the displays of portable consumer devices because they can solve the problems of heavy weights and large sizes in traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. Virtual reality (VR) is a computer technology to create an immersive environment for simulating the real world through one's sense organs. The user can see and hear as if situated in the real world, and even interact with virtual objects or other people manifested by avatars to experience lifelike feelings in the virtual environments. In this study, a virtual laboratory is developed for learning the photoelectric effect of liquid crystal displays (LCD). The users can operate the LCD device by changing the electric field to control the direction of crystal alignment. They can also manipulate a marquee on the LCD to move the text from the left (or right) to the opposite direction, and use LCD shuttle glasses to view stereo images to understand its operating principle. A teaching experiment has been conducted to investigate the learning effectiveness of the virtual laboratory in comparison with that of using traditional teaching aids. The results show that the virtual laboratory could enhance students' learning interest and achievement. They believed that the high interactivity and 3D visualization could help them understand the photoelectric effect of LCD.