Abstract
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of the corneal contact lens virtual simulation teaching system on students' course experience and self-directed learning in 'corneal contact lens' education. METHODS: This study developed a virtual simulation experimental teaching system for 'corneal contact lens' education. A longitudinal comparison of the course experience and self-directed learning abilities of the same group of students at a university in Fujian Province before and after using the system was conducted through questionnaires. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between factors of course experience and self-directed learning abilities before and after the application of the virtual simulation experimental teaching system. RESULTS: A total of 290 valid questionnaires were collected from 145 optometry undergraduates (71 males, 74 females, average age 21.05 ± 0.82 years). Students completed questionnaires before and after using the virtual simulation teaching system. The evaluation of teaching improved from 4.05 to 4.45, basic skills mastery increased from 3.49 to 4.40, and overall course experience rose from 3.07 to 4.17. The system significantly enhanced self-directed learning abilities (P ≤ 0.05), with increased scores in teacher role expectations (3.91 to 4.41), independence (3.03 to 4.34), learning confidence (3.02 to 4.35), learning process evaluation (2.89 to 4.33), and learning strategy use (3.37 to 4.36). However, correlation analysis revealed a significant decrease in the correlation between students' confidence in learning ability, process evaluation, and strategy use after utilizing the virtual simulation technology. CONCLUSION: Virtual simulation technology not only significantly enhanced students' experience in corneal contact lens courses but also improved their self-directed learning abilities. It changed students' cognition and behavior patterns regarding the learning process to some extent, providing new pathways and possibilities for the innovation and development of digital education in ophthalmology.