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Pedagogical Aspects of Virtual Reality Implementation in Mechanical Engineering Materials and Manufacturing Labs at Texas A&M

Nazanin Afsar Kazerooni, Graduate Teaching Fellow, MEEN 361 Instructor of Record Rachel Rebagay, Graduate Teaching Assistant, MEEN 361 InstructorTanil Ozkan, Instructional Assistant Prof. and Coordinator for MEEN 361Arun Srinivasa, Associate Department Head of Mechanical Engineering

TWTC, 13th Annual -2017

The Age of 3D Printers1970s: Prof. Herb Voelckers tools allowed designs to go from screen to sheen with CNC tools via subtractive prototyping [1]1987: Carl Deckard devised SLS (selective laser sintering) to build models by additive processing [1]

2009: MakerBot released the first commercially available 3D printer (FDM) [2]3rd Industrial Revolution

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Motivation for Implementation of 3D Printing and VR/AR ApplicationsSTEM jobs will grow faster than other jobs over the next decade and will pay higher wages overall for qualified employees [3]One of the most significant aspects of 3D printing for education is that it enables more authentic exploration of objects that may not be readily available to universities. [2]35% of all engineering jobs require 3D printing skills. [2]MEEN 361- Materials and Manufacturing Lab

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4How are we planning to integrate extensive engineering 3D spatial cognition and creation skill sets to the mechanical engineering curriculum?

MEEN 210 (Geometric Modeling for Mechanical Design)CourseCompetence to be gained by studentsCAD, Geometry optimization, mesh formation, surface tessalation, 3D spatial cognition, 3D Printing MEEN 360/361 (Materials and Manufacturing in Design)3D content creation for product development, 3D Scanning basics, rapid prototyping, slicing and quality assuranceMEEN 401/402 (Senior Design)Implementation of all acquired 3D spatial skill sets in various stages of senior design projects.MEEN 489/689 (Stacked undergrad/graduate level advanced visualization courses)Specialized course on visualization and simulations

Learning Process StaircaseRetention of Learning Achievements and Continuous Progress throughout the Engineering Career

-Mental visualization and manipulation of three dimensional objects-Spatial relations: rotation of 2D and 3D objects, Spatial visualization: 3D object folding and unfolding of faces-Traditional methods include sketching, creating + reading projections-While some students may have the innate nature to comfortably visualize 3D images, others may need several hours of practicing. Unfortunately, as educators, we realize that students tend to lose interest in subjects that are complex and/or require the use of skills they feel they do not master. 4

Current Teaching MethodsTraditional (2D representations)Ball and stick methodVMSE Callister (~2008, first interactive learning modules)Provides an effective learning environment* surpassing conventional methods, improving understanding in the following:Nanoscale atomic arrangements and interactionsNanoscale fracture mechanics and other processes 5https://goo.gl/vuU7gp

*Studies support the efficacy of interactive learning modules for the initial materials science concept inventory development.

Video based lab module example:

In a small case study implemented in one of our MEEN classes, crystal structures and other concepts are usually explained through textbooks and videos which involve 2D representations that did not motivate students. Students had difficulty grasping the new concepts (depth perception).We decided to let them build physical models of the crystal structure, similar to the one in the picture but with wooden sticks and foam balls.This increased motivation allowed some interaction. But, bond distance/angle measurements proved to be difficult5

So what are we missing?Provide the sense of sightAccording to Classen1 Sight is held to be the most important of the senses and the sense most closely allied with reason. Traditional methodsMinimal interactionMinimal manipulation

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Hard to visualize processes and perform calculationsThe more senses employed in the learning process; the more information retained by students

Source: Edutainment Technologies [1]

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Assessment Results for various VR Technologies

7Alhalabi, W. S. (2016): Virtual reality systems enhance students achievements in engineering education, Behaviour & Information Technology. Taylor & Francis.Quiz grade (%)48 students participated4 groups4 Quizzes: MCQs, short answers, mathematics skill and data interpretation questions.Average scores:HMD: 93.5%CCS*: 86%HMD-ST: 77%No VR: < 70%

* Only 3 DOF

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MEEN 3D Printing StudioUndergrad focused and staffed by studentsCan 3D print objects for class projects or personal use200g allotment of materialPLA and ABS8

3D Printing Design ProjectDesign a dogbone sample with the highest strength to weight ratio using CAD software3D print sample to be used as the negative for the mold cavity during castingFull design process and testing9

3D Scanning3D scan a human handPost processing required for 3D printingLimitations of 3D scanning and 3D printing

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Welding SimulationsLearning tool for practicing and teaching welding techniquesTravel angle, arc speed, straightness, etc.MIG, TIG, StickSaves on material, consumables, gas, and energy costsUsed as an introduction to real welding

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12Preliminary analysis of blindfolded educational impact assessment survey performed with 157 students indicates 63% of all students think that VR-based experimental modules are very helpful andaccelerate their learning process. An interesting outcome of the same study is that when it comes to female students, this figure increases to 86%, which isan important pedagogic outcome considering projected changes with the gender structure of the technical workforce in the US. It is hypothesized that the immersive environment provides the opposite gender with a more egalitarian perception of the psycho-dynamical surroundingin fields traditionally associated with a certain genderand triggers such a response overlapping with the outcomes of earlier experimental studies in the field of cybernetics. More evidence will be needed to prove this hypothesis in the broad field engineering pedagogy.Another important result of the survey conducted by the authors relates to success metrics:For students with GPA smaller than 3.0, the positive feedbackforvirtual reality tools is72%, whereas this drops to61% for students with GPA larger than 3.0. So, academically less successful students seem to be benefiting more from the VR technology which underlines the importance of this technology as an instructional tool. In simple terms, those who need it more, gain more through VR implementation in class room.Pedagogical Aspects of Virtual Reality Implementation in Engineering Labshttps://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pedagogical-aspects-virtual-reality-implementation-mechanical-ozkan

Virtual Reality Based PrototypingCAD based virtual prototypingVirtual reality design space

13Pictures in the bottom row: Microsoft HoloLens Website [4]

Significance3D printing, 3D scanning, and VR are becoming more common in industryEquip students for entrepreneurship opportunitiesKeep students interested in STEM fieldsLess than 40% of students entering college in STEM fields finish with a STEM degree [5]Design Contests: Stretch Your Mind Engineering Challenge, IAM3D Challenge of the ASME, Aggies Invent14

Next steps15

Develop the HMD-version of the application for Google Cardboard.Prepare labs in VR mode, homologation for ZEEC and TAMU-Q.Develop the pedagogic metrics and evaluate student performance in VR.Get involved with textbook publishers and organizations specializing in engineering education (ASEE, SEFI) (Long-term goal).TAMU-QZEEC

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Texas A&M is at the forefront of VR based instructional technologies!16

The gong of a new era in instructional technologies. VR/AR technologies are going to be essential components of any kind of instructional effort in the digital age. AutoDesk StingraySignificance & Future Work

17Using Autodesk Stingray to build atomic structures in virtual reality to guide the imagination of students for tough-to-imagine concepts so that a deeper understanding of essential mechanisms in materials behavior can be achieved. Ta Duong, MEEN 625 Mechanical Behavior of Materials, based on modeling approach discussed in:

Slip planeSlip direction

Justin McGinnety and Cody Piercey, MEEN Instructional VR/AR Content Development LabDislocation mobility

Ongoing Instructional Technology Development Project:

VR Whats Next ? Haptic feedback & multiuser interactions, also personalized lessons through integrated artificial intelligence18

https://www.oculus.com/experiences/gear-vr/1272636489423125/

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AcknowledgementsAndreas A. Polycarpou, Mechanical Engineering Department HeadSharli Nucker, Director of Operations of Mechanical EngineeringDr. Bilal Mansoor, Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M-QatarAli Sheharyar, Software Developer and Director of the CAVE Visualization Center at TAMUQMitch Wittneben, Assistant Director of Dwight Look College of Engineering-Information TechnologyJason Charanza, MEEN 3D Printing Studio DirectorYasushi Mizuno, MEEN 3D Printing Studio Lead Developer and Systems Tester19

Acknowledgements20

Tanil Ozkan, Justin McGinnety and Cody Piercey at the Mechanical Engineering Instructional VR/AR Content Development Lab gratefully acknowledge the support and contributions of the following individuals, companies and organizations:

Jared Vanscoder, Education Program Manager, Autodesk Inc.Philip Jordan Cox, Former Academic Liaison of Autodesk to Texas A&M

References[1] History of Additive Manufacturing, Terry Wohlers and Tim Gornet, Wohler Report, 2014.[2] http://pages.makerbot.com/rs/444-ZTM-866/images/3D-Printing_Campus_Technology_White_paper.pdf [3] Reshaping the Educational Environment for Tomorrows Workforce, Richard M. Rhodes, Educause, 2015.[4] http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/hololens/[5] Freeman, S., Eddy, S., McDonough, M., Smith, M., Okoroafor, N., et al., Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics, PNAS, Vol. 111, No. 23, June 2014, pp. 8410.

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