Breaking the\nAccess to Education Barrier: Enhancing\nHPLC Learning with Virtual Reality

This research focuses on an innovative approach to the\npractical\nteaching of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), specifically\nexploring the application of Virtual Reality (VR) in undergraduate\neducation. Traditionally, the exposure to HPLC instrumentation for\nundergraduates has been limited due to a substantial student population\nand the prohibitively high costs of these systems. To overcome these\nchallenges, we developed our own in-house multi-user VR software,\nas well as a VR digital twin model of HPLC instruments in our laboratory\nand placed multiple copies of these in a training environment, aiming\nto simulate a realistic, interactive, and immersive learning HPLC\nenvironment. The investigation of its effectiveness included a group\nof first year undergraduate students with no previous HPLC experience,\naiming to assess the reception of the VR learning environment among\na student cohort. The use of the VR software positively influenced\nstudent engagement with HPLC training. Survey results indicate that\nthe majority of students greatly enjoyed the VR sessions, with many\nstudents reporting a heightened interest in practicals and self-reporting\nthat they learned better than they would have using text or PowerPoints,\nthough formal assessment is needed to quantify its impact on learning\noutcomes. Notably, students reported a heightened confidence in their\noperational understanding of the instrument and exhibited a more profound\ngrasp of the underlying theoretical concepts. In light of these findings,\nwe propose that VR learning environments equipped with digital twins\nof laboratory equipment can greatly enhance practical teaching, particularly\nin areas constrained by equipment accessibility. This work, therefore,\noffers compelling insights into the potential of VR learning environments\nin reshaping HPLC practical teaching in undergraduate education.