Laboratorio multiusuario del Área Biológica para fortalecer el aprendizaje práctico- experimental mediante Realidad Virtual

Abstract

Abstract: This undergraduate thesis presents the detailed design and development of a chemistry laboratory application for Windows PC and Virtual Reality, conceived as a practice tool for distance learning students. Its main objective is to provide an immersive and realistic learning experience that reproduces the conditions of a physical laboratory, enabling users to recognize, identify, and interact with each of the objects and equipment present in the scene. The application incorporates a multi-user feature that allows the creation of virtual rooms where participants, regardless of the platform used, can interact simultaneously. This approach fosters collaboration and teamwork, replicating the dynamics of in-person laboratory sessions. The development process was carried out after an exhaustive analysis of virtual reality technologies and their applicability in educational environments, applying the Methodology for the Development of Virtual Worlds from the Technological University of Tlaxcala, following its phases of planning, design, implementation, testing, and deployment. The final solution was implemented and validated in the laboratory of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, confirming its functionality and usability. The results show that the tool has high potential to enhance motivation, conceptual understanding, and accessibility to laboratory practice, especially in contexts with limited infrastructure or unstable connectivity. Furthermore, opportunities for future improvement were identified, such as the incorporation of new experimental modules, performance optimization for mid-range devices, and the integration of learning analytics to track student progress.