X Marks the Spot: Perspectives on the Instructional Design and Development of an Immersive Web-based XR Experience for Organic Chemistry

Abstract

Creating an immersive web-based XR activity to teach a complex organic chemistry concept (i.e., R & S stereochemistry) felt like embarking on an uncharted journey. In this reflective narrative, we describe our experiences navigating this territory and developing a “treasure map”, which eventually led to the creation of an engaging eLearning experience. To further complicate matters, organic chemistry includes a variety of complex spatial representations. Specifically, chemistry is composed of macroscopic, symbolic, and particulate representations, and research shows that experts can fluently navigate within and across these domains, but students struggle. The particulate domain is challenging for students because it requires abstract visualization and mental manipulation of 3D molecules. Here, we discuss the design and development of an eLearning activity focused on helping students visualize and learn the organic topic of R and S stereochemistry. This intentionally scaffolded activity was developed using a motivating and authentic chemistry narrative, intentionally designed characters, elements of gamification, badges to award goal completion, web-based XR to help with visualization and various forms of interactive engagement and assessment. We hope that others may be able to use our design and process as a “map” for the development of similar learning experiences.