Application of Virtual Reality Technology in Biological Field Practice

Biological field practice is a vital component of practical education in biology. However, traditional biological field practice in higher education faces several challenges, including a shortage of experienced instructors, monotonous teaching methods, environmental degradation at practice sites, and safety concerns. The VR technology offers a promising solution to these challenges. The paper reviews the current applications of VR technology in higher education and proposes a framework for developing virtual simulation teaching resources for biological field practice. By integrating technologies such as VR, Unity3D, panoramic video, three-dimensional digital reconstruction, and digital elevation modeling, a highly realistic, interactive, and immersive field practice environment is constructed. Taking the VR teaching initiative at Central China Normal University as a case study, the paper analyzes the effectiveness of VR-based biological field practice. The survey results indicate that VR-based teaching practice can overcome the spatiotemporal constraints of traditional instruction, enhance student motivation, diversify teaching approaches, and ultimately improve learning outcomes.