A virtual simulation experiment platform of subway emergency ventilation system and study on its teaching effect

Area of Science:

• Safety Engineering Education
• Virtual Reality (VR) Applications
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Cultivating practical skills in safety engineering is crucial.
• Traditional experiments in hazardous environments pose significant risks.
• A virtual simulation experiment teaching platform was developed to address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the teaching effectiveness of a virtual simulation experiment platform for safety engineering students.
• To compare the impact of virtual simulation versus traditional teaching methods on operating skills and cognitive load.

Main Methods:

• Development of a VR-based simulation platform using 3D modeling and human-computer interaction.
• Stratified sampling of 56 first-year safety engineering students, randomly assigned to experimental (simulation) and control (traditional) groups.
• Assessment of operating skills via platform module scores and cognitive load via questionnaire.

Main Results:

• The experimental group (virtual simulation) scored 32.79 points higher in operating skills than the control group.
• The experimental group reported 35.14% lower cognitive load compared to the control group.
• Virtual simulation demonstrated a superior teaching effect over traditional field experiments.

Conclusions:

• Virtual simulation experiments provide a more effective and safer alternative for teaching practical skills in safety engineering.
• The developed VR platform enhances student understanding of complex systems like subway ventilation and emergency responses.
• This approach significantly improves learning outcomes and reduces the mental burden on students.