Assessing Student Socio-Cognitive Outcomes from Virtual Experiment Simulators in Polymer Science Education.

ABSTRACT: This study tested students' socio-cognitive outcomes in using the Open Virtual Experiment Simulator Education Tool (OVESET), a series of virtual experiment simulators designed for undergraduate polymer science education. The educational tool, covering core polymer science concepts (e.g., molecular weight distribution and polymerization kinetics), was implemented across two consecutive years in an upper-level undergraduate macromolecules course. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this pretest-post-test study measured changes in students' self-regulation, self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and intention to pursue a career in polymer science after using the virtual modules. In the first year, two modules were used across 3 weeks with 16 participating students; in the second year, seve

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12895404 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature