THE IMPACT OF SIMULATION AND VIRTUAL REALITY ON ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND PRACTICAL TRAINING

Abstract

Teaching strategies should also adapt to the evolving subject of engineering, that is increasingly complex.  It might not always be the case, but due to problems with, among others, cost, safety, and accessibility, traditional teaching involves methods that do not always allow immersive and experiential study.  Simulation and virtual reality (VR) technologies have presented a paradigm shift even in engineering education. They develop realistic and interactive environments which are beneficial in enhancing academic knowledge and practical skills.This paper examines the application of simulation and virtual reality (VR) technology as a combined are in various areas of interests involving engineering disciplines, i.e., civil, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and chemical engineering.We obtained information as quantitative data of 180 students through performance indicators, engagement diaries, feedback surveys, and cognitive license tests.  We prepared many tables and complex graphs to observe the influence of VR on the results of pre-tests and post-tests, the amount of time spent using the system, the level of satisfaction, and memorization rates. The research concluded that students who attended VR-based courses performed way better at school, and their average length post-test results increased by 62.4 percent to 86.7 percent.  Table 1 to 3 will indicate the rate of time devotion toward VR in terms of cognitive developments in various fields.  Those students who stated that they were actually absorbed (as shown in Table 2 and Figure 2) maintained higher skills and were in a better mood.  As it can be seen in figures 4, 5 and 11, spending a considerable amount of time using VR will enable people to make better decisions and commit fewer errors and has the result of increasing the confidence of learners.  Figures 6-8 indicate that radar and heatmap visualization deliver advantage of solving the problem, accurate design and real time responsiveness in an overriding manner. Simulation and virtual reality (VR) technologies help to make engineering education much better because it contributes to the ability of students to retain what they have learned as it allows them to remain interested and helps to learn and train their skills under actual conditions.  The conclusions indicate that even in the case of in-person and distance learning, it is quite possible to apply immersive technologies, even though there were certain issues initially, including cost and infrastructure.  This paper reveals that we must continue investing into VR-included courses to prepare engineers with real-life issues, which are becoming increasingly difficult and incorporate more than two disciplines.