Creative teaching using hybrid e-learning and virtual reality

Abstract

This paper describes three creative teaching activities that motivate and engage students into active learning. The teaching methods used include hybrid e-learning and virtual reality. The hybrid e-learning style is a combination of e-learning and a hands-on activity in a laboratory setting. For one hybrid e-learning project, students are asked to design, build, and test seawalls to help protect Japan from future tsunamis. In the other hybrid e-learning project, student teams are challenged to invent the best tasting nutritious fruit juice by using various fruits, blenders, water, plasticware, and other items. For the third project, participants use virtual reality (VR) headsets to learn about rollercoasters and to experience the thrill of riding on one.