Usually students have misconceptions on the microscopic structure and behaviour of matter. In order to overcome these difficulties computer-based worlds seem useful to visualize physical and chemical processes allowing for a better conceptual
understanding. Since more 3-D virtual environments need to be explored and evaluated
in science education, we have built a 3-D virtual environment – “Virtual Water” – to
support the learning of Physics and Chemistry at the final high school and first-year
university levels. It is centered in the microscopic structure of water and explores
concepts related to water phases and the transitions between them.Usually students have misconceptions on the microscopic structure and behaviour of matter. In order to overcome these difficulties computer-based worlds seem useful to visualize physical and chemical processes allowing for a better conceptual
understanding. Since more 3-D virtual environments need to be explored and evaluated
in science education, we have built a 3-D virtual environment – “Virtual Water” – to
support the learning of Physics and Chemistry at the final high school and first-year
university levels. It is centered in the microscopic structure of water and explores
concepts related to water phases and the transitions between them