Virtual and Augmented Reality in Mechanical Engineering Education
Galina Ivanova, A. L. Ivanov, L. Zdravkov · 2023
Nowadays innovative technologies are entering the educational process with the aim of learners easily understanding and learning the material provided. The technologies used and/or based on virtual and augmented reality in the educational process affects today’s digital generation and motivation of learners, giving them the opportunity to use their smartphones in the learning process. The aim of the paper is to show the main positive aspects of 3D Virtual Reality environments and 3D Augmented Reality Learning environments in mechanical engineering education. An interactive Mobile Apps for 3D Augmented Reality Learning environment and 3D Virtual Reality Learning environment for setting up and operating a variety of Grinding Devices for Cutting tool sharpening are presented. The Mobile Apps are using Mobile Virtual Glasses suitable for smartphones. The use of 3D Virtual learning and 3D Augmented learning reality in the training of Cutting Tools has been tested with students from the Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering of the University of Ruse. With the Mechanical engineering students, comparative research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the learning and students’ experience level in a 3D Augmented and Virtual Reality Learning environment versus that of a real learning laboratory.