Utilizing virtual reality to assist students in learning physics

Physics constitute a fundamental course which poses particular challenges to students to deeply understand. In most cases, classroom lectures are not enough and students should also be involved in experimental procedures in the laboratory to examine procedures and how operations are conducted. In this paper we present the formulation of an innovative 3D virtual reality educational environment that aims to assist students in learning and teachers in explaining various processes of the physics course. In the 3D virtual reality environment laboratories facilitate students to carry virtual experiments, explore procedures and get a deeper cognition and understanding of how procedures are conducted and physics processes work. In addition, pedagogical virtual agents are designed to guide students in the virtual environment and assist them during the training activities. Preliminary studies indicate quite interesting results.