Interactive virtual reality museum for material packaging study

The purposes of this research were to develop interactive virtual reality museum for material packaging. This museum was to be considered as a learning instruction resource outside class to solve the issue of insufficient time in class. The instructors encouraged learners to build up the knowledge by themselves via active learning activities. The sampling group for this study consisted of 80 second year undergraduate students studying at the Department of Printing and Packaging Technology, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut´s University of Technology Thonburi. The students could access the museum by downloading the data from the internet and learn by themselves using an avatar to enter the museum. In each exhibition room of the museum for packaging, there were different kinds of packaging along with relevant information. After visiting the museum, the students needed to take a test before going out. The students had to gain at least 85% correct points. The instructors could know each student´s behaviors and their progress by the developed software. They could control the activities by using mouse and keyboard. Visitor´s activities were also recorded such as date and time of participation. The research results in this phase revealed that the students visiting the virtual reality museum for packaging on the internet showed interest and enthusiasm in learning more. Besides, the students had more time to gain training outside classroom and to learn according to their preferences everywhere and every time. It was found that most students were satisfied with the virtual reality online museum for packaging.