Investigation of the Effect of Augmented and Virtual Reality Applications in E-Learning on Students' Use of Microscopes

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of applications developed with augmented and virtual reality technologies on subjects that require the use of microscopes in the e-learning process in science lessons on students' academic achievement, course engagement and self-efficacy beliefs in microscope use. The research was conducted in a quasi-experimental design with three groups, two experimental and one control. In this process, the teaching practices towards the control group (CG) were conducted with the use of the course presentations prepared by the researchers and the content of the Education Information Network related to the subjects covered in the research. While the students in the augmented reality experimental group (AREG) were taught with the same course presentations and augmented reality microscope application (MikrosAR), the students in the virtual reality experimental group (VREG) were taught with the same course presentations and virtual reality microscope application (MikrosAR2). In the study, data were collected through an academic achievement test, a scale of self-efficacy belief in microscope use, a course engagement scale and an observation form. The relationship between pre-test and post-test scores was performed using Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance. Observation data obtained from learning environments were calculated as frequency and presented by digitizing. Correlation analysis was applied to determine the relationship levels of the variables discussed in the study. According to the results, it was seen that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of academic achievement, and all the materials used in the groups related to the subject had an equal effect on the students in the e-learning environment. Furthermore, it was observed that students in VREG had significantly higher self-efficacy beliefs in microscope use than students in AREG, therefore, the use of virtual reality technology in the e-learning environment had a positive effect on students' self-efficacy beliefs in microscope use. In addition, it was concluded that the students had a high level of productive interaction in practices, and no difference was observed between the groups in their participation in class. Moreover, it can be stated that course engagement in the e-learning environment is effective on the academic achievement of the student.