Do Haptic Representations Help Complex Molecular Learning?

Bivall, Petter; Ainsworth, Shaaron; Tibell, Lena A.E.

Abstract

This study explored whether adding a haptic interface (that provides users with somatosensory information about virtual objects by force and tactile feedback) to a three-dimensional (3D) chemical model enhanced students' understanding of complex molecular interactions. Two modes of the model were compared in a between-groups pre- and posttest design. In both modes, users could move and rotate virtual 3D representations of the chemical structures of the two molecules, a protein and a small ligand molecule. In addition, in a haptic mode users could feel the interactions (repulsive and attractive) between molecules as forces with a haptic device. Twenty postgraduate students (10 in each condition) took pretests about the process of protein--ligand recognition before exploring the model in ways suggested by structured worksheets and then completing a posttest. Analysis addressed quantitative learning outcomes and more qualitatively students' reasoning during the learning phase. Results showed that the haptic system helped students learn more about the process of protein-ligand recognition and changed the way they reasoned about molecules to include more force-based explanations. It may also have protected students from drawing erroneous conclusions about the process of protein-ligand recognition observed when students interacted with only the visual model. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Citation

Bivall, P., Ainsworth, S., & Tibell, L. A. (2011). Do Haptic Representations Help Complex Molecular Learning?. Science Education, 95(4), 700-719. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20439

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 2, 2010
• Online Publication Date: Mar 30, 2011
• Publication Date: Jun 3, 2011
• Deposit Date: Aug 5, 2024
• Journal: Science Education
• Print ISSN: 0036-8326
• Electronic ISSN: 1098-237X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 95
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 700-719
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20439
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/23577496
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sce.20439