2023 HDR Curtin round - Collaborating in immersive virtual reality to learn science: Analysis of students’ social interactions

Status: Open

Applications open: 8/07/2022
Applications close: 18/08/2022

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

A merit-based PhD scholarship is available for the holder to participate in a research project which investigates the educational potential of immersive virtual reality in supporting students' collaborative science learning. 

Overview of the project: The project aims to investigate the potential of advanced visualisation technology—immersive virtual reality—as a collaborative learning environment that supports students' deeper engagement and more comprehensive understanding of science. Incorporating qualitative video analysis, the project will establish an understanding of how students interact and learn about the molecular world within an immersive virtual reality environment. 

Backgrounds - VR for science education : Immersive virtual reality (VR) as an advanced 3D visualisation technology has an enormous potential to change the way people learn and interact. Immersive VR not only allows us to ‘see ’ what is unobservable, but to ‘experience ’ them by transporting us to otherwise inaccessible worlds. My team of science educational researchers has been exploring various ways to utilise the powerful experience of immersive VR to provide exciting and constructive science learning experiences. We have developed a series of immersive VR learning activities on molecular structures and interactions (e.g., snowflakes and hydrogen bonds, a sweet taste of stereochemistry, and a neurotransmitter and an enzyme reaction). Over 130 science students experienced our VR activities with great enthusiasm. Many of them expressed their desire to learn more chemistry with immersive VR because 3D visualisation and peer interactions helped them build a concrete and deeper understanding of the concepts. 

Rationale of the study: Although people have focused on the 3D visualisation capabilities of Immersive VR technology, it also has a remarkably unique quality as an interactive medium. It changes how people look and interact in virtual learning environments. Using the intriguing qualities of immersive VR for 3D visualisation and as a new interactive medium, the proposed project will investigate questions such as: 

• How does immersive VR impact students’ collaborative learning effort as they visualise and explore scientific phenomena in virtual environments?
• Would immersive VR make collaborative peer-to-peer and student-teacher interactions easier and more conducive to science learning? 
• How can we make immersive VR more collaborative and constructive learning environments? 

 

The successful PhD student will analyse the learners’ interactions within the virtual reality environment using qualitative video data. The candidate will be supervised by a team of experienced science education researchers (Associate Professor Mihye Won, Professor David F. Treagust, and Professor Mauro Mocerino) at Curtin University, Perth, Australia. They will also have opportunities to interact with partner investigators, Professor Chin-Chung Tsai (National Taiwan Normal University) and Professor Roy Tasker (Purdue University).

An Internship opportunity may be available with this project.

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Humanities

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• International Student

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

 

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships, valued at $28,854 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3.5 years, are determined via a competitive selection process. Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2022. 

 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

• Hold a university degree in science education or relevant field with research experience (e.g., Masters’ degree by research or Masters’ degree with 25% research component, or Bachelors’ degree with upper-level honours); 
• Demonstrate an aptitude for research through their analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Be able to work in a team setting and take responsibility for their individual tasks;
• Possess excellent academic writing and communications skills (with the minimum English language IELTS level of 7); and
• Practice well-developed time- and self-management skills with strong commitment to their work.
• Computer programming skills are NOT required. 

Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2023

Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Associate Professor Mihye Won via the EOI form above.

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