This study evaluates the effectiveness of a virtual classroom designed for building service engineering students, focusing particularly on Fanger's thermal comfort model. Traditional teaching methods often fail to fully engage students in complex engineering concepts; thus, this virtual platform aims to provide a more immersive learning experience by seamlessly integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications.The virtual classroom introduces foundational concepts through engaging animated content, followed by interactive simulations. In these simulations, students actively manipulate variables such as air temperature, humidity, and air velocity, enabling them to directly observe the impact of these factors on thermal comfort. This approach not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also enhances practical skills through simulation-based activities where students apply what they've learned to real-world scenarios.An experimental study involving 66 students was conducted to measure the effectiveness of this educational approach. A pre-test and post-test, each consisting of 6 questions, were administered to assess the students' initial understanding and subsequent knowledge acquisition after using the virtual classroom. The results showed a significant improvement, with a 25% average increase in post-test scores, indicating enhanced understanding and application skills.Additionally, student feedback collected through a survey expressed high satisfaction with the virtual classroom, highlighting its value as an engaging and effective educational tool. Overall, the study confirms that the virtual classroom significantly improves learning outcomes and student engagement in building service engineering education.

Authors:
Huiying Cynthia Hou, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Huiying (Cynthia) Hou is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-hou-7130454a/

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