EntomonVR: VR Experience in Insect Morphology
Description
In recent years, the study of insect morphology benefited enormously from the emergence of new digital imaging and analysis technologies like X-ray micro-computed tomography (μ-CT), digital 3D reconstruction and animation. Through interactive gaming, virtual reality applied to learn the external morphology of insects could reach a broad audience of both entomologists and non-specialists. EntomonVR is a serious game designed to investigate the external morphology of insects with acceptable quality for the virtual reality platform. We discuss the advantages of virtual reality, introduce the EntomonVR new edutainment game and conclude about perspectives. For game assessment, we have tested this game on 15 participants with entomological background and improved the game based on their feedback. This study demonstrates the efficacy of virtual reality technology for an experimental learning environment in teaching morphology of parasitoid wasps and the need for educational programs to develop efficient and interactive tools to realize this potential.