A Proposal for Engineering Practice Education Using Virtual Reality - Focusing on Soldering Training in the Electrical Engineering Field

This study aims to provide recommendations for developing virtual reality-based soldering practice education content. The research analyzed soldering job characteristics and learning content in National Competency Standards (NCS) learning modules, surveyed industry expert opinions on soldering job needs, and examined existing VR content for similar welding tasks. Results show NCS modules cover soldering techniques, precautions, and equipment operation. Industry experts emphasized the need for systematic, principle-based soldering education using VR to address challenges in traditional hands-on training. Analysis of welding VR content revealed metaverse-based designs with systematic curricula, though limited by mouse-only interactions. Based on the findings, the study recommends developing VR soldering content with comprehensive, level-appropriate curricula and advanced motion capture capabilities to enhance realism. The proposed VR-based approach could help overcome current limitations in soldering education at technical colleges and universities.