Abstract:
Although virtual reality (VR) simulation training has gained prominence, review studies to inform instructors and educators on the use of this technology in science, tech...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Although virtual reality (VR) simulation training has gained prominence, review studies to inform instructors and educators on the use of this technology in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are still scarce. This article presents various VR-supported instructional design practices in K-12 (primary and secondary) and higher education in terms of participants' characteristics, methodological features, and pedagogical uses in alignment with applications, technological equipment, and instructional design strategies. During the selection and screening process, 41 (n = 41) studies published in the period 2009-2019 were included for a detailed analysis and synthesis. This article's results indicate that many studies were focused on the description and evaluation of the appropriateness or the effectiveness of applied teaching practices with VR support. Several studies pointed out improvements in learning outcomes or achievements, positive perspectives on user experience, and perceived usability. Nevertheless, fewer studies were conducted to measure students' learning performance. The current scoping review aims to encourage instructional designers to develop innovative VR applications or integrate existing approaches in their teaching procedures. It will also inform researchers to conduct further research for an in-depth understanding of the educational benefits of immersive-VR applications in STEM fields.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies ( Volume: 13, Issue: 4, 01 Oct.-Dec. 2020)

Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia, Kastoria, Greece
Nikolaos Pellas received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece, in 2019.
He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer with the Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece. His research interests include the design, development, and implementation of interactive environments using virtual reality, a...Show More
Nikolaos Pellas received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece, in 2019.
He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer with the Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece. His research interests include the design, development, and implementation of interactive environments using virtual reality, a...View more

Chair of School Pedagogy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Andreas Dengel received the Ph.D. degree with a focus on empirical research on teaching and learning from the Department of Chair of Educational Science, University of Passau, Passau, Germany, in 2020.
Since 2019, he has been a Research Associate with the Chair of School Pedagogy in Würzburg, Germany. His research interests include computer science education, immersive learning, and media education.
Andreas Dengel received the Ph.D. degree with a focus on empirical research on teaching and learning from the Department of Chair of Educational Science, University of Passau, Passau, Germany, in 2020.
Since 2019, he has been a Research Associate with the Chair of School Pedagogy in Würzburg, Germany. His research interests include computer science education, immersive learning, and media education.View more

Department of Future Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Athanasios Christopoulos received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Computer Science, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, U.K., in 2019.
He is currently a Research Fellow with the Department of Future Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. His research interests include educational technology advancement and artificial intelligent techniques for educational data mining.
Athanasios Christopoulos received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Computer Science, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, U.K., in 2019.
He is currently a Research Fellow with the Department of Future Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. His research interests include educational technology advancement and artificial intelligent techniques for educational data mining.View more

Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia, Kastoria, Greece
Nikolaos Pellas received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece, in 2019.
He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer with the Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece. His research interests include the design, development, and implementation of interactive environments using virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality in communication and education.
Nikolaos Pellas received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece, in 2019.
He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer with the Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece. His research interests include the design, development, and implementation of interactive environments using virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality in communication and education.View more

Chair of School Pedagogy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Andreas Dengel received the Ph.D. degree with a focus on empirical research on teaching and learning from the Department of Chair of Educational Science, University of Passau, Passau, Germany, in 2020.
Since 2019, he has been a Research Associate with the Chair of School Pedagogy in Würzburg, Germany. His research interests include computer science education, immersive learning, and media education.
Andreas Dengel received the Ph.D. degree with a focus on empirical research on teaching and learning from the Department of Chair of Educational Science, University of Passau, Passau, Germany, in 2020.
Since 2019, he has been a Research Associate with the Chair of School Pedagogy in Würzburg, Germany. His research interests include computer science education, immersive learning, and media education.View more

Department of Future Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Athanasios Christopoulos received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Computer Science, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, U.K., in 2019.
He is currently a Research Fellow with the Department of Future Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. His research interests include educational technology advancement and artificial intelligent techniques for educational data mining.
Athanasios Christopoulos received the Ph.D. degree from the Department of Computer Science, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, U.K., in 2019.
He is currently a Research Fellow with the Department of Future Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. His research interests include educational technology advancement and artificial intelligent techniques for educational data mining.View more