A Review on VR in STEM Education with Students and Teachers oriented Challenges
Abstract
This research paper investigates the applications of Virtual Reality (VR) in education specifically targeting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This article explores how VR improves student learning outcomes, knowledge retention, engagement, and problem solving or critical thinking. We highlight the significant impact of VR in STEM Education for real life experiments, enhanced learning, visualization, and simulation-based learning. Despite promising benefits, challenges such as high costs, technological barriers, and content limitations persist. This research also categorize challenges related to students and Teachers from the literature and offers recommendations for further research to optimize its integration into diverse educational contexts.
Keywords:
VR, Education, STEM, Students, Teachers, Higher Education
References
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Pedro Acevedo, Alejandra J Magana, Bedrich Benes, and Christos Mousas. 2024. A systematic review of immersive virtual reality in STEM education: Advantages and disadvantages on learning and user experience. IEEE Access (2024).
Murat Akçayır and Gökçe Akçayır. 2017. Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality for education: A systematic review of the literature. Educational research review 20 (2017), 1–11.
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Ahmed Jamah Alnagrat Alnagrat, Rizalafande Che Ismail, and Syed Zulkarnain Syed Idrus. 2022. The Opportunities and challenges in virtual reality for virtual laboratories. Innovative Teaching and Learning Journal 6, 2 (2022), 73–89.
Saleh Alsaleh, Aleksei Tepljakov, Ahmet Köse, Juri Belikov, and Eduard Petlenkov. 2022. ReImagine lab: Bridging the gap between hands-on, virtual and remote control engineering laboratories using digital twins and extended reality. Ieee Access 10 (2022), 89924–89943.
Aqeel Alzoubi and Khaled Ahmed. 2024. The Effect of Virtual Reality Technology in Teaching Mathematics on Students’ Ability to Process Data and Graphic Representation. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies 18, 8 (2024).
Fernando Elemar Vicente dos Anjos, Adriano de Oliveira Martins, Gislene Salim Rodrigues, Miguel Afonso Sellitto, and Debora Oliveira da Silva. 2024. Boosting Engineering Education with Virtual Reality: An Experiment to Enhance Student Knowledge Retention. Applied System Innovation 7, 3 (2024), 50.
Gerald Ardito, Pauline Mosley, and Lauren Scollins. 2014. We, robot: Using robotics to promote collaborative and mathematics learning in a middle school classroom. Middle Grades Research Journal 9, 3 (2014).
Youssef Asham, Mohamed H Bakr, and Ali Emadi. 2023. Applications of augmented and virtual reality in electrical engineering education: A review. IEEE Access 11 (2023), 134717–134738.
Peter Beatrice, Annalisa Grimaldi, Stefano Bonometti, Enrico Caruso, Marcella Bracale, and Antonio Montagnoli. 2024. Adding immersive virtual reality laboratory simulations to traditional teaching methods enhances biotechnology learning outcomes. In Frontiers in Education, Vol. 9. Frontiers Media SA, 1354526.
Dennis Beck. 2019. Augmented and virtual reality in education: Immersive learning research. Journal of Educational Computing Research 57, 7 (2019), 1619–1625.
Thomas Bohné, Ina Heine, Özgür Gürerk, Christoph Rieger, Lukas Kemmer, and Lydia Y Cao. 2021. Perception engineering learning with virtual reality. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 14, 4 (2021), 500–514.
Agus Setyo Budi, Dadan Sumardani, Dewi Muliyati, Fauzi Bakri, Po-Sheng Chiu, Mutoharoh Mutoharoh, and Marlinda Siahaan. 2021. Virtual reality technology in physics learning: Possibility, trend, and tools. Jurnal Penelitian & Pengembangan Pendidikan Fisika 7, 1 (2021), 23–34.
Grigore C Burdea and Philippe Coiffet. 2003. Virtual reality technology. John Wiley & Sons.
Shenglin Cao, Juan Chu, ZuoChen Zhang, and Liyan Liu. 2024. The effectiveness of VR environment on primary and secondary school students’ learning performance in science courses. Interactive Learning Environments 32, 10 (2024), 7321–7337.
Rob E Carpenter, Rochell McWhorter, and Katherine Stone. 2023. Adopting Virtual Reality for Education: Exploring Teachers’ Perspectives on Readiness, Opportunities, and Challenges. (2023).
Jyun-Chen Chen, Yun Huang, Kuen-Yi Lin, Yu-Shan Chang, Hung-Chang Lin, Chien-Yu Lin, and Hsien-Sheng Hsiao. 2020. Developing a hands-on activity using virtual reality to help students learn by doing. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 36, 1 (2020), 46–60.
Matt Cook, Zack Lischer-Katz, Nathan Hall, Juliet Hardesty, Jennifer Johnson, Robert McDonald, and Tara Carlisle. 2019. Challenges and strategies for educational virtual reality: Results of an expert-led forum on 3D/VR technologies across academic institutions. Information Technology and Libraries 38, 4 (2019), 25–48.
Sanusi Sani Danmali, Samuel Adebisi Onansanya, Falade Ayotunde Atanda, and Ahmad Abdullahi. 2024. Application of Virtual Reality in STEM Education for Enhancing Immersive Learning and Performance of At-Risk Secondary School Students. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 8, 3s (2024), 3971–3984.
OECD Innovating Education. 2016. Educating for Innovation: The Power of Digital Technologies and Skills. Education Innovation and Research (2016).
Alba Fombona-Pascual, Javier Fombona, and Esteban Vázquez-Cano. 2022. VR in chemistry, a review of scientific research on advanced atomic/molecular visualization. Chemistry Education Research and Practice 23, 2 (2022), 300–312.
Laura Freina and Michela Ott. 2015. A literature review on immersive virtual reality in education: state of the art and perspectives. In The international scientific conference elearning and software for education, Vol. 1. 10–1007.
Ayah Hamad and Bochen Jia. 2022. How virtual reality technology has changed our lives: an overview of the current and potential applications and limitations. International journal of environmental research and public health 19, 18 (2022), 11278.
Hsinfu Huang and Chang-Franw Lee. 2022. Factors affecting usability of 3D model learning in a virtual reality environment. Interactive Learning Environments 30, 5 (2022), 848–861.
Saira Jawed, Muhammad Sarwar Zia, Toqeer Ahmed Iqbal, Saadia Muzafar, and Shazia Imran. 2024. Impact of 3D virtual reality on teaching and learning human anatomy among undergraduate students. Annals of PIMS-Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University 20, 3 (2024), 222–226.
Joel Weijia Lai and Kang Hao Cheong. 2022. Adoption of virtual and augmented reality for mathematics education: A scoping review. IEEE Access 10 (2022), 13693–13703.
Teemu H Laine andWoohyun Lee. 2023. Collaborative virtual reality in higher education: Students’ perceptions on presence, challenges, affordances, and potential. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 17 (2023), 280–293.
Opeyeolu Timothy Laseinde and Damilola Dada. 2024. Enhancing teaching and learning in STEM Labs: The development of an android-based virtual reality platform. Materials Today: Proceedings 105 (2024), 240–246.
Guido Makransky and Gustav B Petersen. 2021. The cognitive affective model of immersive learning (CAMIL): A theoretical research-based model of learning in immersive virtual reality. Educational psychology review 33, 3 (2021), 937–958.
Tomasz Mazuryk and Michael Gervautz. 1996. History, applications, technology and future. Virtual Reality 72, 4 (1996), 486–497.
Alex Mazzuco, Aliane Loureiro Krassmann, Eliseo Reategui, and Raquel Salcedo Gomes. 2022. A systematic review of augmented reality in chemistry education. Review of Education 10, 1 (2022), e3325.
Jiri Motejlek and Esat Alpay. 2021. Taxonomy of virtual and augmented reality applications in education. IEEE transactions on learning technologies 14, 3 (2021), 415–429.
Artwell Regis Muzata, Ghanshyam Singh, Mikhail Sergeevich Stepanov, and Innocent Musonda. 2024. Immersive learning: A systematic literature review on transforming engineering education through virtual reality. In Virtual Worlds, Vol. 3. MDPI, 480–505.
Stylianos Mystakidis and Athanasios Christopoulos. 2022. Teacher perceptions on virtual reality escape rooms for stem education. Information 13, 3 (2022), 136.
Lillian Nave, Joanne Ricevuto, and Laura McLaughlin. [n. d.]. Engaging Virtual Environments: Creative Ideas and Online Tools to Promote Student Interaction, Participation, and Active Learning. ( [n. d.]).
Nikolaos Pellas, Andreas Dengel, and Athanasios Christopoulos. 2020. A scoping review of immersive virtual reality in STEM education. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 13, 4 (2020), 748–761.
Dominik Petko, Doreen Prasse, and Andrea Cantieni. 2018. The interplay of school readiness and teacher readiness for educational technology integration: A structural equation model. Computers in the Schools 35, 1 (2018), 1–18.
Saiful Prayogi and Ni Nyoman Sri Putu Verawati. 2024. Physics learning technology for sustainable development goals (sdgs): a literature study. International Journal of Ethnoscience and Technology in Education 1, 2 (2024), 155–191.
Jaziar Radianti, Tim A Majchrzak, Jennifer Fromm, and Isabell Wohlgenannt. 2020. A systematic review of immersive virtual reality applications for higher education: Design elements, lessons learned, and research agenda. Computers & education 147 (2020), 103778.
Indah Sari, Parlindungan Sinaga, Hernani Hernani, Ahmad Mudzakir, and Anas Santria. 2023. Using virtual reality as learning tools on chemistry: Advantages and challenges. Tadris: Jurnal Keguruan dan Ilmu Tarbiyah 8, 1 (2023), 49–60.
Damian Schofield. 2012. Mass effect: A chemical engineering education application of virtual reality simulator technology. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching 8, 1 (2012), 63.
Aili Shi, Yamin Wang, and Nan Ding. 2022. The effect of game–based immersive virtual reality learning environment on learning outcomes: designing an intrinsic integrated educational game for pre–class learning. Interactive Learning Environments 30, 4 (2022), 721–734.
Paweł Strzałkowski, Paweł Bęś, Mariusz Szóstak, and Mateusz Napiórkowski. 2024. Application of virtual reality (vr) technology in mining and civil engineering. Sustainability 16, 6 (2024), 2239.
Yu-Sheng Su, Hung-Wei Cheng, and Chin-Feng Lai. 2022. Study of virtual reality immersive technology enhanced mathematics geometry learning. Frontiers in Psychology 13 (2022), 760418.
Talia Tene, Jessica Alexandra Marcatoma Tixi, María de Lourdes Palacios Robalino, María José Mendoza Salazar, Cristian Vacacela Gomez, and Stefano Bellucci. 2024. Integrating immersive technologies with STEM education: a systematic review. In Frontiers in Education, Vol. 9. Frontiers Media SA, 1410163.
Berk Turhan and Zeynep H Gümüş. 2022. A brave new world: virtual reality and augmented reality in systems biology. Frontiers in bioinformatics 2 (2022), 873478.
Chen Wang, Yutong Tang, Mukhtar A Kassem, Heng Li, and Bingqing Hua. 2022. Application of VR technology in civil engineering education. Computer Applications in Engineering Education 30, 2 (2022), 335–348.
Tao Xie, Yan Li, and Ying Tang. 2023. Effects of using immersive virtual reality for science education on learning outcomes: A randomized controlled pilot study. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 16, 6 (2023), 1045–1056.
Putra Yanto, Doni Tri, Jelpapo Putra Yanto, Rozalita Kurani, et al. 2024. Engineering Students’ Acceptance of Augmented Reality Technology Integrated with E-Worksheet in The Laboratory Learning. International Journal of Online & Biomedical Engineering 20, 3 (2024).
Asif Zaman, Mushfiqur Rahman Abir, and Sawon Mursalin. 2024. Extended reality in education and training: Enhancing trustworthiness. Int. J. Sci. Res. Arch 11 (2024), 1705–1720.
Pedro Acevedo, Alejandra J Magana, Bedrich Benes, and Christos Mousas. 2024. A systematic review of immersive virtual reality in STEM education: Advantages and disadvantages on learning and user experience. IEEE Access (2024).
Murat Akçayır and Gökçe Akçayır. 2017. Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality for education: A systematic review of the literature. Educational research review 20 (2017), 1–11.
Salsabeel FM Alfalah. 2018. Perceptions toward adopting virtual reality as a teaching aid in information technology. Education and Information Technologies 23, 6 (2018), 2633–2653.
Ahmed Jamah Alnagrat Alnagrat, Rizalafande Che Ismail, and Syed Zulkarnain Syed Idrus. 2022. The Opportunities and challenges in virtual reality for virtual laboratories. Innovative Teaching and Learning Journal 6, 2 (2022), 73–89.
Saleh Alsaleh, Aleksei Tepljakov, Ahmet Köse, Juri Belikov, and Eduard Petlenkov. 2022. ReImagine lab: Bridging the gap between hands-on, virtual and remote control engineering laboratories using digital twins and extended reality. Ieee Access 10 (2022), 89924–89943.
Aqeel Alzoubi and Khaled Ahmed. 2024. The Effect of Virtual Reality Technology in Teaching Mathematics on Students’ Ability to Process Data and Graphic Representation. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies 18, 8 (2024).
Fernando Elemar Vicente dos Anjos, Adriano de Oliveira Martins, Gislene Salim Rodrigues, Miguel Afonso Sellitto, and Debora Oliveira da Silva. 2024. Boosting Engineering Education with Virtual Reality: An Experiment to Enhance Student Knowledge Retention. Applied System Innovation 7, 3 (2024), 50.
Gerald Ardito, Pauline Mosley, and Lauren Scollins. 2014. We, robot: Using robotics to promote collaborative and mathematics learning in a middle school classroom. Middle Grades Research Journal 9, 3 (2014).
Youssef Asham, Mohamed H Bakr, and Ali Emadi. 2023. Applications of augmented and virtual reality in electrical engineering education: A review. IEEE Access 11 (2023), 134717–134738.
Peter Beatrice, Annalisa Grimaldi, Stefano Bonometti, Enrico Caruso, Marcella Bracale, and Antonio Montagnoli. 2024. Adding immersive virtual reality laboratory simulations to traditional teaching methods enhances biotechnology learning outcomes. In Frontiers in Education, Vol. 9. Frontiers Media SA, 1354526.
Dennis Beck. 2019. Augmented and virtual reality in education: Immersive learning research. Journal of Educational Computing Research 57, 7 (2019), 1619–1625.
Thomas Bohné, Ina Heine, Özgür Gürerk, Christoph Rieger, Lukas Kemmer, and Lydia Y Cao. 2021. Perception engineering learning with virtual reality. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 14, 4 (2021), 500–514.
Agus Setyo Budi, Dadan Sumardani, Dewi Muliyati, Fauzi Bakri, Po-Sheng Chiu, Mutoharoh Mutoharoh, and Marlinda Siahaan. 2021. Virtual reality technology in physics learning: Possibility, trend, and tools. Jurnal Penelitian & Pengembangan Pendidikan Fisika 7, 1 (2021), 23–34.
Grigore C Burdea and Philippe Coiffet. 2003. Virtual reality technology. John Wiley & Sons.
Shenglin Cao, Juan Chu, ZuoChen Zhang, and Liyan Liu. 2024. The effectiveness of VR environment on primary and secondary school students’ learning performance in science courses. Interactive Learning Environments 32, 10 (2024), 7321–7337.
Rob E Carpenter, Rochell McWhorter, and Katherine Stone. 2023. Adopting Virtual Reality for Education: Exploring Teachers’ Perspectives on Readiness, Opportunities, and Challenges. (2023).
Jyun-Chen Chen, Yun Huang, Kuen-Yi Lin, Yu-Shan Chang, Hung-Chang Lin, Chien-Yu Lin, and Hsien-Sheng Hsiao. 2020. Developing a hands-on activity using virtual reality to help students learn by doing. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 36, 1 (2020), 46–60.
Matt Cook, Zack Lischer-Katz, Nathan Hall, Juliet Hardesty, Jennifer Johnson, Robert McDonald, and Tara Carlisle. 2019. Challenges and strategies for educational virtual reality: Results of an expert-led forum on 3D/VR technologies across academic institutions. Information Technology and Libraries 38, 4 (2019), 25–48.
Sanusi Sani Danmali, Samuel Adebisi Onansanya, Falade Ayotunde Atanda, and Ahmad Abdullahi. 2024. Application of Virtual Reality in STEM Education for Enhancing Immersive Learning and Performance of At-Risk Secondary School Students. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 8, 3s (2024), 3971–3984.
OECD Innovating Education. 2016. Educating for Innovation: The Power of Digital Technologies and Skills. Education Innovation and Research (2016).
Alba Fombona-Pascual, Javier Fombona, and Esteban Vázquez-Cano. 2022. VR in chemistry, a review of scientific research on advanced atomic/molecular visualization. Chemistry Education Research and Practice 23, 2 (2022), 300–312.
Laura Freina and Michela Ott. 2015. A literature review on immersive virtual reality in education: state of the art and perspectives. In The international scientific conference elearning and software for education, Vol. 1. 10–1007.
Ayah Hamad and Bochen Jia. 2022. How virtual reality technology has changed our lives: an overview of the current and potential applications and limitations. International journal of environmental research and public health 19, 18 (2022), 11278.
Hsinfu Huang and Chang-Franw Lee. 2022. Factors affecting usability of 3D model learning in a virtual reality environment. Interactive Learning Environments 30, 5 (2022), 848–861.
Saira Jawed, Muhammad Sarwar Zia, Toqeer Ahmed Iqbal, Saadia Muzafar, and Shazia Imran. 2024. Impact of 3D virtual reality on teaching and learning human anatomy among undergraduate students. Annals of PIMS-Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University 20, 3 (2024), 222–226.
Joel Weijia Lai and Kang Hao Cheong. 2022. Adoption of virtual and augmented reality for mathematics education: A scoping review. IEEE Access 10 (2022), 13693–13703.
Teemu H Laine andWoohyun Lee. 2023. Collaborative virtual reality in higher education: Students’ perceptions on presence, challenges, affordances, and potential. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 17 (2023), 280–293.
Opeyeolu Timothy Laseinde and Damilola Dada. 2024. Enhancing teaching and learning in STEM Labs: The development of an android-based virtual reality platform. Materials Today: Proceedings 105 (2024), 240–246.
Guido Makransky and Gustav B Petersen. 2021. The cognitive affective model of immersive learning (CAMIL): A theoretical research-based model of learning in immersive virtual reality. Educational psychology review 33, 3 (2021), 937–958.
Tomasz Mazuryk and Michael Gervautz. 1996. History, applications, technology and future. Virtual Reality 72, 4 (1996), 486–497.
Alex Mazzuco, Aliane Loureiro Krassmann, Eliseo Reategui, and Raquel Salcedo Gomes. 2022. A systematic review of augmented reality in chemistry education. Review of Education 10, 1 (2022), e3325.
Jiri Motejlek and Esat Alpay. 2021. Taxonomy of virtual and augmented reality applications in education. IEEE transactions on learning technologies 14, 3 (2021), 415–429.
Artwell Regis Muzata, Ghanshyam Singh, Mikhail Sergeevich Stepanov, and Innocent Musonda. 2024. Immersive learning: A systematic literature review on transforming engineering education through virtual reality. In Virtual Worlds, Vol. 3. MDPI, 480–505.
Stylianos Mystakidis and Athanasios Christopoulos. 2022. Teacher perceptions on virtual reality escape rooms for stem education. Information 13, 3 (2022), 136.
Lillian Nave, Joanne Ricevuto, and Laura McLaughlin. [n. d.]. Engaging Virtual Environments: Creative Ideas and Online Tools to Promote Student Interaction, Participation, and Active Learning. ( [n. d.]).
Nikolaos Pellas, Andreas Dengel, and Athanasios Christopoulos. 2020. A scoping review of immersive virtual reality in STEM education. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 13, 4 (2020), 748–761.
Dominik Petko, Doreen Prasse, and Andrea Cantieni. 2018. The interplay of school readiness and teacher readiness for educational technology integration: A structural equation model. Computers in the Schools 35, 1 (2018), 1–18.
Saiful Prayogi and Ni Nyoman Sri Putu Verawati. 2024. Physics learning technology for sustainable development goals (sdgs): a literature study. International Journal of Ethnoscience and Technology in Education 1, 2 (2024), 155–191.
Jaziar Radianti, Tim A Majchrzak, Jennifer Fromm, and Isabell Wohlgenannt. 2020. A systematic review of immersive virtual reality applications for higher education: Design elements, lessons learned, and research agenda. Computers & education 147 (2020), 103778.
Indah Sari, Parlindungan Sinaga, Hernani Hernani, Ahmad Mudzakir, and Anas Santria. 2023. Using virtual reality as learning tools on chemistry: Advantages and challenges. Tadris: Jurnal Keguruan dan Ilmu Tarbiyah 8, 1 (2023), 49–60.
Damian Schofield. 2012. Mass effect: A chemical engineering education application of virtual reality simulator technology. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching 8, 1 (2012), 63.
Aili Shi, Yamin Wang, and Nan Ding. 2022. The effect of game–based immersive virtual reality learning environment on learning outcomes: designing an intrinsic integrated educational game for pre–class learning. Interactive Learning Environments 30, 4 (2022), 721–734.
Paweł Strzałkowski, Paweł Bęś, Mariusz Szóstak, and Mateusz Napiórkowski. 2024. Application of virtual reality (vr) technology in mining and civil engineering. Sustainability 16, 6 (2024), 2239.
Yu-Sheng Su, Hung-Wei Cheng, and Chin-Feng Lai. 2022. Study of virtual reality immersive technology enhanced mathematics geometry learning. Frontiers in Psychology 13 (2022), 760418.
Talia Tene, Jessica Alexandra Marcatoma Tixi, María de Lourdes Palacios Robalino, María José Mendoza Salazar, Cristian Vacacela Gomez, and Stefano Bellucci. 2024. Integrating immersive technologies with STEM education: a systematic review. In Frontiers in Education, Vol. 9. Frontiers Media SA, 1410163.
Berk Turhan and Zeynep H Gümüş. 2022. A brave new world: virtual reality and augmented reality in systems biology. Frontiers in bioinformatics 2 (2022), 873478.
Chen Wang, Yutong Tang, Mukhtar A Kassem, Heng Li, and Bingqing Hua. 2022. Application of VR technology in civil engineering education. Computer Applications in Engineering Education 30, 2 (2022), 335–348.
Tao Xie, Yan Li, and Ying Tang. 2023. Effects of using immersive virtual reality for science education on learning outcomes: A randomized controlled pilot study. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies 16, 6 (2023), 1045–1056.
Putra Yanto, Doni Tri, Jelpapo Putra Yanto, Rozalita Kurani, et al. 2024. Engineering Students’ Acceptance of Augmented Reality Technology Integrated with E-Worksheet in The Laboratory Learning. International Journal of Online & Biomedical Engineering 20, 3 (2024).
Asif Zaman, Mushfiqur Rahman Abir, and Sawon Mursalin. 2024. Extended reality in education and training: Enhancing trustworthiness. Int. J. Sci. Res. Arch 11 (2024), 1705–1720.
Published
2025-06-03
How to Cite
AHSAN, Muhammad; TAHIREEN, Ulfat; JAVED, Filza; DELABRIDA, Saul; GUIDONI, Daniel L..
A Review on VR in STEM Education with Students and Teachers oriented Challenges. In: ACM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERACTIVE MEDIA EXPERIENCES WORKSHOPS (IMXW), 25. , 2025, Niterói/RJ.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2025
.
p. 115-119.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/imxw.2025.2491.
