Using Virtual Reality to Demonstrate Glove Hygiene in Introductory Chemistry Laboratories

In recent years, immersive technology tools have burgeoned. After the release of the affordable Oculus Go headset and the Merge Cube, there has been increasing use of virtual, augmented, and extended reality (VR, AR, XR) in classrooms. Of significance to chemistry educators are the virtual lab simulations developed by Labster and HoloLab Champions and the VR app Nanome, which can be used to virtually manipulate chemicals and proteins. So far, however, there are no commercially developed products that address the transfer of chemicals and contaminants during experiments or procedures that require gloves. Herein, we discuss how VR can be used as an active learning approach to lab safety about correct glove hygiene. The work is the result of a collaboration among chemistry, computer science, and library faculty on a VR instructional module on glove hygiene. This experience is useful to bring a realistic and interactive laboratory experience to students who may have limited experience in a laboratory setting. Additionally, the project explores how to optimally use the academic library space to deploy the VR module to a large number of student users. Despite shortcomings we encountered in the first phase of development, we believe that, with technological improvements, there is significant potential for a virtual reality instructional environment that teaches glove hygiene when there may be limited access to physical laboratories.