Achieving Deep Learning through Integration of 360° Virtual Reality Tour, Hands-on Experience, and Simulation-Based Design in a Project-Based Laboratory

We present an integrated project-based learning (PBL) asset integrating 360° virtual reality tour, high-fidelity simulation, and simulation-based design for chemical engineering laboratory courses. The 360° virtual reality tour integrated with videos and learning lessons of distillation equipment components is based on a pilot-scale distillation column of the standard industrial design and an authentic separation system of renewable bioethanol. The dedicated simulation modules, tailored for process simulation and simulation-based design anchored on rigorous theoretical methods, provide students with accurate process performance scenarios and genuine process design practice. The unique combination of virtual reality and high-fidelity simulation enables students of all academic years to explore the connections among the process equipment and operation, underlying concepts, simplifying assumptions and sustainable design with high-level efficiency, depth, and flexibility. The integrated learning modules also contain content-appropriate learning activities and expected learning outcomes for all academic levels, and culminates in senior year as a project-based design laboratory focusing on sustainable design of equipment, systems, and processes, along with hands-on laboratory. Altogether, the integrated learning based on the exploration of the real-world process is structured to support efficient, student-oriented, and design-centric learning for students to acquire knowledge and engineering skills of integrated real-world systems and develop cognitive ability for problem solving. In particular, the integrated learning in the open-ended PBL with design component is expected to help students achieve higher-level learning outcomes and critical engineering skills.