Being Inside the Quantum Atom

This article explores the possibility of using dynamic Educational Virtual Environments (EVEs) for helping students with limited background in physics and mathematics to deeply understand Quantum Mechanics principles and create the correct mental images of atomic models. Taking under consideration the results of our pilot study we have created “The Quantum Atom”, an educational environment with which 38 students interacted during welldesigned learning tasks based on the social constructivist approach. The sense of presence seems to play an important role in our positive learning outcomes. Further research must be done in this domain focusing on the main features of Virtual Reality as many researchers argue that they support knowledge construction.