Using virtual reality environment in the teaching of acoustics

Abstract

Many students are unable to learn some basic concepts in Acoustics using conventional teaching methods including lectures, problem solving sessions and even lab sessions. An Acoustics experiment in the Virtual Reality (VR) environment is designed and implemented in order to convey these basic concepts to the students efficiently. Within this experiment, students virtually walkthrough a 3D graphical model of the Sound and Vibration Lab at Ain Shams University and listen to virtual sound sources at different locations in the lab with full control on many parameters affecting sound propagation. The sound field produced by the sound system in the VR environment is calculated in real time using an indoor Acoustics simulation model running in the background. For the first time, the term "audiolization" is introduced. The new term stands for simulating the sound field and make it audible to students. Students are completely immersed in the VR environment through visualization of the 3d graphical model and "audiolization" of the 7.1 sound surround system allowing them to have better understanding of the basic Acoustics concepts and develop audio-skills that cannot be taught using conventional teaching methods.