Extended Reality in Computer Science Education: An Umbrella Review of Reviews
Resumo
The Extended Reality (XR) technologies of Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality are increasingly proposed for computer science education (CSE), yet the existing review and survey literature is fragmented across technologies, topics, and methods. This umbrella review synthesizes evidence from reviews and surveys on XR in computer science and related computing education, focusing on devices, platforms, software, educational levels, learning outcomes, and reported challenges. We searched the Scopus database from 2013 to 2025 for review-type or systematic studies on XR in computing education. We included five reviews covering 224 primary studies published between 2009 and 2023. While XR consistently supports motivation, engagement, and conceptual understanding of complex computing concepts, technical limitations, accessibility constraints, and weak instructional design remain persistent challenges. We identify trends, gaps, and research priorities, offering actionable implications for computing educators and researchers.
Palavras-chave:
XR, Systematic Review, Computer Science Education, Umbrella Review, PRISMA
Referências
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Alnajim, A. M., Habib, S., Islam, M., AlRawashdeh, H. S., and Wasim, M. (2023). Exploring cybersecurity education and training techniques: a comprehensive review of traditional, virtual reality, and augmented reality approaches. Symmetry, 15(12):2175.
Branco, J. and Pombo, N. (2023). Augmented reality for programming teaching: an exploratory study. In 2023 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), pages 1–7. IEEE.
Buchner, J. and Kerres, M. (2021). Students as designers of augmented reality: Impact on learning and motivation in computer science. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 5(8):41.
Dewi, I. P., Mursyida, L., Effendi, H., Giatman, M., Hanafi, H. F., Ali, S. K., et al. (2024). Virtual reality in algorithm programming course: practicality and implications for college students. JOIV: International Journal on Informatics Visualization, 8(3-2):1720–1727.
Ekman, J., Solsona, J., and Quintero, L. (2024). Codeseum: Learning introductory programming concepts through virtual reality puzzles. In Proceedings of the 2024 ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences, pages 192–200.
Fernandez, R. S., Sharifnia, A. M., and Khalil, H. (2025). Umbrella reviews: a methodological guide. European journal of cardiovascular nursing, 24(6):996–1002.
Lampropoulos, G., Keramopoulos, E., Diamantaras, K., and Evangelidis, G. (2023). Integrating augmented reality, gamification, and serious games in computer science education. Education Sciences, 13(6):618.
MacCallum, K. (2022). The integration of extended reality for student-developed games to support cross-curricular learning. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3:888689.
Malik, H. A., Ferdinand, R., Aurelius, B., Fajar, M., and Suri, P. A. (2023). Applications of virtual reality in computer sciences education: A systematic literature review. In 2023 International Conference on Informatics, Multimedia, Cyber and Informations System (ICIMCIS), pages 659–664. IEEE.
Mina, D., Salah, J., and Abdennadher, S. (2021). Arcode: Programming for youngsters through ar. In International Conference in Methodologies and intelligent Systems for Techhnology Enhanced Learning, pages 65–74. Springer.
Narman, H. S., Berry, C., Canfield, A., Carpenter, L., Giese, J., Loftus, N., and Schrader, I. (2020). Augmented reality for teaching data structures in computer science. In 2020 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), pages 1–7. IEEE.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., et al. (2021). The prisma 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. bmj, 372.
Pirker, J., Kopf, J., Kainz, A., Dengel, A., and Buchbauer, B. (2021). The potential of virtual reality for computer science education-engaging students through immersive visualizations. In 2021 IEEE conference on virtual reality and 3D user interfaces abstracts and workshops (VRW), pages 297–302. IEEE.
Sembey, R., Hoda, R., and Grundy, J. (2024). Emerging technologies in higher education assessment and feedback practices: A systematic literature review. Journal of Systems and Software, 211:111988.
Su, S., Zhang, E., Denny, P., and Giacaman, N. (2021). A game-based approach for teaching algorithms and data structures using visualizations. In Proceedings of the 52nd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, pages 1128–1134.
Theodoropoulos, A. and Lepouras, G. (2021). Augmented reality and programming education: A systematic review. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 30:100335.
Tsai, C.-Y. and Lai, Y.-C. (2022). Design and validation of an augmented reality teaching system for primary logic programming education. sensors, 22(1):389.
Van Mechelen, M., Smith, R. C., Schaper, M.-M., Tamashiro, M., Bilstrup, K.-E., Lunding, M., Graves Petersen, M., and Sejer Iversen, O. (2023). Emerging technologies in k–12 education: A future hci research agenda. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 30(3):1–40.
Villegas-Ch, W., Govea, J., Godoy, L. N., and Mera-Navarrete, A. (2024). Virtual reality simulations for skills training: Improving learning through immersive experiences in educational environments. IEEE Access.
Wei, Z., Liao, J., Lee, L.-H., Qu, H., and Xu, X. (2025). Towards enhanced learning through presence: A systematic review of presence in virtual reality across tasks and disciplines. arXiv preprint arXiv:2504.13845.
Alnajim, A. M., Habib, S., Islam, M., AlRawashdeh, H. S., and Wasim, M. (2023). Exploring cybersecurity education and training techniques: a comprehensive review of traditional, virtual reality, and augmented reality approaches. Symmetry, 15(12):2175.
Branco, J. and Pombo, N. (2023). Augmented reality for programming teaching: an exploratory study. In 2023 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), pages 1–7. IEEE.
Buchner, J. and Kerres, M. (2021). Students as designers of augmented reality: Impact on learning and motivation in computer science. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 5(8):41.
Dewi, I. P., Mursyida, L., Effendi, H., Giatman, M., Hanafi, H. F., Ali, S. K., et al. (2024). Virtual reality in algorithm programming course: practicality and implications for college students. JOIV: International Journal on Informatics Visualization, 8(3-2):1720–1727.
Ekman, J., Solsona, J., and Quintero, L. (2024). Codeseum: Learning introductory programming concepts through virtual reality puzzles. In Proceedings of the 2024 ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences, pages 192–200.
Fernandez, R. S., Sharifnia, A. M., and Khalil, H. (2025). Umbrella reviews: a methodological guide. European journal of cardiovascular nursing, 24(6):996–1002.
Lampropoulos, G., Keramopoulos, E., Diamantaras, K., and Evangelidis, G. (2023). Integrating augmented reality, gamification, and serious games in computer science education. Education Sciences, 13(6):618.
MacCallum, K. (2022). The integration of extended reality for student-developed games to support cross-curricular learning. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3:888689.
Malik, H. A., Ferdinand, R., Aurelius, B., Fajar, M., and Suri, P. A. (2023). Applications of virtual reality in computer sciences education: A systematic literature review. In 2023 International Conference on Informatics, Multimedia, Cyber and Informations System (ICIMCIS), pages 659–664. IEEE.
Mina, D., Salah, J., and Abdennadher, S. (2021). Arcode: Programming for youngsters through ar. In International Conference in Methodologies and intelligent Systems for Techhnology Enhanced Learning, pages 65–74. Springer.
Narman, H. S., Berry, C., Canfield, A., Carpenter, L., Giese, J., Loftus, N., and Schrader, I. (2020). Augmented reality for teaching data structures in computer science. In 2020 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), pages 1–7. IEEE.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., et al. (2021). The prisma 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. bmj, 372.
Pirker, J., Kopf, J., Kainz, A., Dengel, A., and Buchbauer, B. (2021). The potential of virtual reality for computer science education-engaging students through immersive visualizations. In 2021 IEEE conference on virtual reality and 3D user interfaces abstracts and workshops (VRW), pages 297–302. IEEE.
Sembey, R., Hoda, R., and Grundy, J. (2024). Emerging technologies in higher education assessment and feedback practices: A systematic literature review. Journal of Systems and Software, 211:111988.
Su, S., Zhang, E., Denny, P., and Giacaman, N. (2021). A game-based approach for teaching algorithms and data structures using visualizations. In Proceedings of the 52nd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, pages 1128–1134.
Theodoropoulos, A. and Lepouras, G. (2021). Augmented reality and programming education: A systematic review. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 30:100335.
Tsai, C.-Y. and Lai, Y.-C. (2022). Design and validation of an augmented reality teaching system for primary logic programming education. sensors, 22(1):389.
Van Mechelen, M., Smith, R. C., Schaper, M.-M., Tamashiro, M., Bilstrup, K.-E., Lunding, M., Graves Petersen, M., and Sejer Iversen, O. (2023). Emerging technologies in k–12 education: A future hci research agenda. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 30(3):1–40.
Villegas-Ch, W., Govea, J., Godoy, L. N., and Mera-Navarrete, A. (2024). Virtual reality simulations for skills training: Improving learning through immersive experiences in educational environments. IEEE Access.
Wei, Z., Liao, J., Lee, L.-H., Qu, H., and Xu, X. (2025). Towards enhanced learning through presence: A systematic review of presence in virtual reality across tasks and disciplines. arXiv preprint arXiv:2504.13845.
Publicado
05/10/2026
Como Citar
AHSAN, Muhammad; FARDOUS, Maria; COURA, Laura; DELABRIDA, Saul.
Extended Reality in Computer Science Education: An Umbrella Review of Reviews. In: SIMPÓSIO BRASILEIRO DE INFORMÁTICA NA EDUCAÇÃO (SBIE), 37. , 2026, Goiânia/GO.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2026
.
p. 1092-1105.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbie.2026.27488.
