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Combining Immersive Technologies and Problem-based Learning in Engineering Education: Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review

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Conference

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Location

Virtual Conference

Publication Date

July 26, 2021

Start Date

July 26, 2021

End Date

July 19, 2022

Conference Session

Computers in Education 9 - Technology 1

Tagged Division

Computers in Education

Page Count

18

DOI

10.18260/1-2--36812

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/36812

Download Count

470

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Paper Authors

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Mahgol Nowparvar Pennsylvania State University

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Ms. Mahgol Nowparvar is a graduate student continuing her education in the field of data analytics at Penn State Great Valley. Ms. Nowparvar received her B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics from University of Wisconsin in May of 2020. Her interest is in simulation modeling using quantitative and qualitative analysis.

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Xing Chen Pennsylvania State University

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Xing Chen is an undergraduate researcher and a BS in Computer Science major at Pennsylvania State University and is expected to graduate in Spring 2021. His interests include developing /programming languages, operating systems, and quantitative tools, including Python, R, Java, A-Frame, among others.

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Omar Ashour Pennsylvania State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-3775-6445

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Dr. Omar Ashour is an Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at Pennsylvania State University,
The Behrend College. Dr. Ashour received the B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering/Manufacturing Engineering
and the M.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology
(JUST) in 2005 and 2007, respectively. He received his M.Eng. degree in Industrial Engineering/Human
Factors and Ergonomics and the Ph.D. degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from
Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Dr. Ashour was the inaugural recipient
of William and Wendy Korb Early Career Professorship in Industrial Engineering in 2016. Dr.
Ashour’s research areas include applied decision making, modeling and simulation, virtual reality, and
process improvement. He contributed to research directed to improve engineering education.

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Sabahattin Gokhan Ozden Pennsylvania State University Abington Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-5005-0298

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Dr. Sabahattin Gokhan Ozden is an assistant professor of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State Abington. He received B.S. degree in Software Engineering with a double major in Industrial Systems Engineering from Izmir University of Economics in 2009. He received his Master of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Auburn University in 2012 and 2017, respectively. His research interests are warehousing, optimization, and information systems. He can be reached at gokhan@psu.edu and http://gokhanozden.com

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Ashkan Negahban Pennsylvania State University

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Dr. Ashkan Negahban is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Management at The Pennsylvania State University, School of Graduate Professional Studies. He has a PhD and MS from Auburn University and a BS from University of Tehran (all in Industrial Engineering). His research primarily involves stochastic simulation techniques (discrete-event, agent-based, and Monte Carlo), statistical data analysis, and optimization approaches in design and operation of complex systems. His educational research focuses on novel learning environments in STEM education enabled by immersive simulations. His email and web addresses are anegahban@psu.edu and http://ashkannegahban.com.

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Abstract

There is a cohesive body of research on the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) for a wide range of learner groups across different disciplines in engineering education. On the other hand, there is a growing interest in using immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) in engineering education. While there are many literature review articles on each of these subjects separately, there is a lack of review articles on the application of combined PBL-VR learning environments in engineering education. This paper provides an assessment of the applications and potential of implementing immersive technologies in a PBL setting to utilize the advantages of both paradigms. More specifically, this paper aims to provide insights related to two main questions: (1) where (in what disciplines/subjects) PBL and VR have been used together in engineering education? And, (2) how are VR and PBL integrated and used in engineering education? The first question is investigated by performing a bibliometric analysis of relevant papers published in the proceedings of previous ASEE annual conferences. The second question is explored by performing a literature review and classification of ASEE papers that discuss the use of VR in conjunction with PBL. Our findings reveal a gap between the application of integrated PBL and VR across different disciplines in engineering education. We also analyze the trends related to PBL and VR application in engineering education over time. Finally, we identify and propose future opportunities related to the combination of PBL and immersive technologies, including but not limited to immersive simulation-based learning (ISBL) and incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into immersive virtual/simulated learning environments used in engineering education.

Nowparvar, M., & Chen, X., & Ashour, O., & Ozden, S. G., & Negahban, A. (2021, July), Combining Immersive Technologies and Problem-based Learning in Engineering Education: Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review Paper presented at 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual Conference. 10.18260/1-2--36812

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