Engineering students at The Pennsylvania State University will benefit from immersive training technologies that will improve their understanding and training outcomes.
Hands-on training can be critical for engineering learning, but traveling to training sites is not always an option. Engineering lecturer Marietta Scanlon collaborated with sophomore student Wyatt Ritchie to create 360-degree videos for an introductory course on Manufacturing Materials, Processes and Laboratory, which teaches about specific equipment in the campus machine shop.
According to Ritchie, traditional note taking and picture-based learning gets the point across, but does not provide a deep understanding and spark interest. 360-degree videos and other immersive training technologies and methodologies, he said, provides a greater learning advantage.
Scanlon says the 360-degree videos will be used toward the end of fall semester to supplement teaching and the regular shop training. The videos could also be used in other manufacturing courses.
Ryan Wetzel, manager of creative learning initiatives at the university, says using immersive technologies like 360-degree video to complete coursework helps students to examine course content from several perspectives.
“Because the camera operates as a stand-in for the audience, and the audience can look anywhere at any time, students must consider the value of their location, the actions taking place, and how to direct attention,” he explained.
“This leads to an intimate understanding of the course content and becomes invaluable as a teaching tool.”
The next step for the engineering faculty will be to move beyond 360-degree video into virtual reality. According to Scanlon, Ritchie will be familiarising himself with the software, then begin creating training for a simple piece of machine shop equipment.
Scanlon will also be assessing the effectiveness of the immersive technologies in enhancing students’ learning through assessments, and comparing the results to the results of a control group that watches traditional videos.
[Image caption: Penn State Berks sophomore Wyatt Ritchie works on capturing the equipment in the campus machine shop to create informational 360-degree videos. Image: Marietta Scanlon.]