The impact of 3D visualization types in instructional multimedia applications for teaching science

This study reports research findings on whether the use of 3D visualization types i.e. Interactive 3D Virtual Environment (I3DVE), 3D Animations Interface (3DAIF) and 3D Static Illustrations Interface (3DSIIF), combined with narration and text in multimedia applications, contributes to the learning process of 12th grade students in science. A total of 111 students participated in the research that utilized three different versions of an interactive multimedia application called “Atomic Orbitals”. The research results provide convincing evidence that I3DVE have a greater contribution to the learning process than the other two types of visualization.