During the 2020/2021 summer semester at The Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, pilot classes were conducted on combining the Elements of logic and computer arithmetic subject with virtual reality. These are the first such classes in Poland in technical faculties.
As part of the RID (Regional Initiative of Excellence) grant project, employees and students of our Faculty developed and implemented from scratch a practical virtual science laboratory of the ELIAK subject. The virtual laboratory consists of three stages - one for each laboratories topic, covering the issues carried out in the classroom in an ordinary form. Students have the following areas to pass:
- Boolean Algebra
- Karnaugh Map
- Multiplexers
In the first module, the student has to build a working logic system using appropriate logic gates so that they are consistent with the content of the task. In module two, students have to properly complete the karnaugh map and then minimize it based on the content of the task. In the third module, the participant job is to program a dedicated element for the operation of the machine. The task is carried out by programming the 8:1 multiplexer using the appropriate number of input signals and logic gates. With each sub-point of the quest, the difficulty level increases.
Although the modules are separate, it is one project that has common features such as a board for building logic gates, a laser gun for selecting the appropriate values in karnaugh map and multiplexers, or a logic gates spawner. Students have 6 tasks to solve, three for one team member. After 20 minutes or after all three quests have been completed, players swap their places. They have 40 minutes for the entire task. Students working in a team (two people) also learn to cooperate and work under time pressure. The tasks are structured in such a way as to test the knowledge of each participant and are based on helping each other. A virtual reality student is dependent on his / her partner's knowledge.
The entire project was based on a scenario of spaceship with anomalies / dangers at a given level that must be stopped by solving the tasks. During their implementation, the participant encounters various types of interludes in the form of mini-games or logical puzzles to relax the mind. Such interludes are, for example, throwing a ball to the target, shooting at robots, a virtual jump or a mini maze. Students liked the new forms of classes. According to the questionnaires conducted anonymously after the class, students rated the implementation of classes at the level of 9.28 / 10 (Boolean algebra), 9.41 / 10 (Karnaugh maps) and 9.56 / 10 (multiplexers), respectively.
The project was conducted by two employeess of the Department of Complex System: Andrzej Paszkiewicz EngD, Mateusz Salach M.Eng. and three students studying the Computer Engineering at The Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Rzeszow Univeristy of Technology: Marcin Witek M.Eng., Alicja Nikodem and Hubert Wójcik. The primary game engine used for this project was an Unreal Engine.
The use of VR in teaching at the Rzeszow University of Technology is developing more and more dynamically. From the winter semester, third-year students of computer engineering, computer networks specialization, will take part in virtual reality systems laboratories, where they will be able to learn the secrets of VR.
This project is financed by the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Poland within the “Regional Initiative of Excellence” program for years 2019–2022. Project number 027/RID/2018/19, amount granted 11 999 900 PLN.
