Learning organic chemistry with virtual reality

Implementation of virtual reality technology as a learning tool for organic chemistry is presented. We use the immersive technology to facilitate the learning of how to create molecules of chemical compounds. Practical activities with the virtual reality application called Nanome were implemented. This educational technology seeks, through the sensation of immersion, to transmit knowledge to the student by perceiving a virtual organic chemistry laboratory. Nanome is a nanoscale immersion laboratory for virtual reality. A fully immersive virtual reality system, Oculus Rift, was used with the Nanome application to visualize molecules, edit configurations, and simulate molecular bonds. The results show that virtual reality technology was well accepted by students as a learning tool. Skills and knowledge are acquired by learning by doing in a totally immersive environment. Complex subjects to understand in a conventional classroom were taught in a practical and entertaining way. Immersive virtual reality technology has enormous potential as a chemistry teaching tool.