Practical Aspects of Teaching Physics on A Panoramic Whiteboard Inside VR

Abstract Book of the 10th World Conference on Teaching and Education

Year: 2026

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Practical Aspects of Teaching Physics on A Panoramic Whiteboard Inside VR

Dr. Oleg Yavoruk

ABSTRACT:

A panoramic virtual reality (VR) workspace can be a useful multi-functional teaching tool. Students are surrounded by a 360-degree interactive whiteboard that allows them to see and take notes anywhere on the simulated spherical surface. The VR learner is always located in the center of the virtual sphere and can see everything around them (by simply turning their head) and interact with the board (through controllers). It can be easily applied to both in-person and online classes for: lecturing; solving and explaining problems; modeling; demonstrating videos and images; discussing diagrams and charts. The teacher and/or students can write up texts or formulas on the spherical surface using a graphics pad and stylus. Additionally, virtual reality spherical workplaces are an effective, flexible, and easy way of questioning students during the lesson. The primary observed benefits of whiteboarding inside VR, noted during the pilot physics classes, are: there are no borders or glare; nobody obscures the viewing angle; text and images are easy to reduce, correct, move, replace, or delete; all educational tools are always at your hand. But many sad disadvantages (small window effect, limited viewing angle, bulky and heavy helmets, lack of the eye contact with students, medical and psychological restrictions, phobias, etc.) cannot be overcome by physics teachers. This research does not prove that VR whiteboarding necessarily produces superior results. However, it is a useful and engaging experience that requires public discussion and further exploration.

Keywords: Physics Teaching; Virtual Reality; Whiteboarding; VR Teaching Experience