Building a Virtual Experimental Environment for the Learning of Projectile Motion using Force-feedback Devire

Abstract

We developed a virtual experimental environment for vertical upward projectile motion in elementary dynamics. And the system is usable for discovery learning, especially for learner's experience. The virtual experimental environment is simple computer system with a force feedback device. Considering the learning with experience is to progress the learning through his/her own sensors and motors, we aim to improve the reality of behavior which means his/her motion using a computer system is equivalent effect to the corresponding motion in real world, and also the reality of the feedback. There are two main characteristics of this system. One is a learner can operate an object intuitionally and directly and observe the internal state of the environment, through the learning process of learner's natural bodily movement. And the other is the learner can also have experiences with a various setting of force model in the virtual experimental environment such as to make the gravity zero or the impact of receiving a ball any force pattern. Using the system we confirmed it is usable for the projectile even if they grasp the device in any style, and even if the gravity will be changed.