A Systematic Review of Virtual Reality Applications in Engineering Education: Methodologies, Assessments, and Outcomes
Resumo
This systematic review investigates how Virtual Reality (VR) has been applied in engineering education, which assessment strategies are employed to measure its effectiveness, and what main outcomes have been reported. Fourteen recent studies were selected and analyzed, with findings categorized into three dimensions: learning performance, student engagement and motivation, and usability and user experience. Results indicate significant gains in academic performance, with average test-score increases ranging from 15% to 17% in VR activities. Immersive VR environments also enhanced students’ attention and involvement, as evidenced by both objective indicators (EEG data) and subjective feedback. Despite these benefits, recurrent challenges include physical discomfort, technical limitations, cognitive navigation difficulties, and a short-lived novelty effect. High infrastructure costs and the need for continuous content updates further hinder large-scale adoption. The discussion emphasizes the need to balance pedagogical advantages, operational feasibility, and sustained engagement. Future work should explore VR implementations in resource-constrained, regular classroom settings and conduct economic analyses comparing VR laboratories to traditional teaching approaches. When supported by careful instructional design, appropriate infrastructure, and engagement strategies, VR shows solid potential to enhance engineering education.
Palavras-chave:
Engineering Education, Learning Performance, Student Engagement, Systematic Review, User Experience, Virtual Reality, Pedagogical Strategies
Referências
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Al-Juboori, H. Noonan, G. O’Brien, V. and Picovici, D. Instructional considerations for virtual reality in engineering training and education: preliminary research results, 2023.
Albarracin-Acero, D. A. Romero-Toledo, F. A. Saavedra-Bautista, C. E. and Ariza-Echeverri, E. A. Virtual reality in the classroom: transforming the teaching of electrical circuits in the digital age. Future Internet, 16(8):279, 2024.
Carretero, M. P. Garcia, S. Moreno, A. Alcain, N. and Elorza, I. Methodology to create virtual reality assisted training courses within the Industry 4.0 vision. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 80(19):29699–29717, 2021.
Cimino, A. Longo, F. Mirabelli, G. Solina, V. and Verteramo, S. An ontology-based, general-purpose and Industry 4.0-ready architecture for supporting the smart operator (part II – virtual reality case). Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 73:52–64, 2024.
Cinar, O. E. Rafferty, K. Cutting, D. and Wang, H. AI-powered VR for enhanced learning compared to traditional methods. Electronics, 13(23):4787, 2024.
Centro de Gestao e Estudos Estrategicos (CGEE). Industria 4.0: arcabouco normativo para a implementacao da industria 4.0 no Brasil. Technical Report 29, CGEE, Brasilia, DF, 2021.
De Troyer, O. Kleinermann, F. Pellens, B. and Bille, W. Conceptual modeling for virtual reality. In Tutorials, Posters, Panels and Industrial Contributions at the 26th International Conference on Conceptual Modeling, 3–18, 2007.
Eswaran, M. and Bahubalendruni, M. V. A. R. Challenges and opportunities on AR/VR technologies for manufacturing systems in the context of Industry 4.0: a state of the art review. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 65:260–278, 2022.
Ghazali, A. K. Ab. Aziz, N. A. Ab. Aziz, K. and Kian, N. T. The usage of virtual reality in engineering education. Cogent Education, 11(1):2319441, 2024.
Latta, J. N. and Oberg, D. J. A conceptual virtual reality model. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 14(1):23–29, 1994.
Lee, T. Wen, Y. Chan, M. Y. Azam, A. B. Looi, C. K. Taib, S. Ooi, C. H. Huang, L. H. Xie, Y. and Cai, Y. Investigation of virtual & augmented reality classroom learning environments in university STEM education. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(6):2617–2632, 2024.
Policy Links. Emerging trends in global advanced manufacturing. University of Cambridge, 12, 2013.
Marks, B. and Thomas, J. Adoption of virtual reality technology in higher education: an evaluation of five teaching semesters in a purpose-designed laboratory. Education and Information Technologies, 27(1):1287–1305, 2022.
Martins, G. S. M. Martins, T. Soares, T. R. Zafalao, I. H. L. Fernandes, A. C. Graziani, A. P. Camillo, B. Z. Simoni, R. and Trabasso, L. G. Optimization machining processes in multi-user cyber-physical cells: a comparative. In 2024 3rd International Conference on Automation, Robotics and Computer Engineering (ICARCE), 50–54. IEEE, 2024.
Mojica-Irigoyen, M. Figueroa-Cavazos, J. O. Rodriguez-Mendoza, A. G. Ruiz-Cantisani, M. I. and Lara-Prieto, V. The effect of a virtual reality resource on the engagement and learning experience of first-year engineering students. In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Education and Multimedia Technology, 1–7, 2023.
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Rafiq, A. A. Triyono, M. B. and Djatmiko, I. W. Enhancing student engagement in vocational education by using virtual reality. Waikato Journal of Education, 27(3):175–188, 2022.
Sanchez-Lopez, A. L. Jauregui-Jauregui, J. A. Garcia-Carrera, N. A. and Perfecto-Avalos, Y. Evaluating effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in promoting students’ learning and engagement: a case study of analytical biotechnology engineering course. Frontiers in Education, 9:1287615, 2024.
Solmaz, S. Gerling, K. Kester, L. and Van Gerven, T. Behavioral intention, perception and user assessment in an immersive virtual reality environment with CFD simulations. Virtual Reality, 28(2):88, 2024.
Terkaj, W. Urgo, M. Kovacs, P. Toth, E. and Mondellini, M. A framework for virtual learning in industrial engineering education: development of a reconfigurable virtual learning factory application. Virtual Reality, 28(3):148, 2024.
Tori, R. and Hounsell, M. S. Introducao a realidade virtual e aumentada. Porto Alegre: Editora SBC, 61, 2018.
Wen, J. and Gheisari, M. Using virtual reality to facilitate communication in the AEC domain: a systematic review. Construction Innovation, 20(3):509–542, 2020.
Wong, J. Y. Azam, A. B. Cao, Q. Huang, L. Xie, Y. Winkler, I. and Cai, Y. Evaluations of virtual and augmented reality technology-enhanced learning for higher education. Electronics, 13(8):1549, 2024.
Xanthidou, O. K. Aburumman, N. and Ben-Abdallah, H. The impact of collaborative learning virtual environments on student’s performance. In 2024 IEEE International Conference on Metrology for eXtended Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Engineering (MetroXRAINE), 231–236. IEEE, 2024.
Ainakulov, Z. Koshekov, K. Astapenko, N. Pirmanov, I. and Koshekov, A. The experience of introducing digital twins into the educational process on the example of training in the repair of aircraft equipment units. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 101(12):5123–5134, 2023.
Airasian, P. W. A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing: A revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Longman, 2001.
Al-Juboori, H. Noonan, G. O’Brien, V. and Picovici, D. Instructional considerations for virtual reality in engineering training and education: preliminary research results, 2023.
Albarracin-Acero, D. A. Romero-Toledo, F. A. Saavedra-Bautista, C. E. and Ariza-Echeverri, E. A. Virtual reality in the classroom: transforming the teaching of electrical circuits in the digital age. Future Internet, 16(8):279, 2024.
Carretero, M. P. Garcia, S. Moreno, A. Alcain, N. and Elorza, I. Methodology to create virtual reality assisted training courses within the Industry 4.0 vision. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 80(19):29699–29717, 2021.
Cimino, A. Longo, F. Mirabelli, G. Solina, V. and Verteramo, S. An ontology-based, general-purpose and Industry 4.0-ready architecture for supporting the smart operator (part II – virtual reality case). Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 73:52–64, 2024.
Cinar, O. E. Rafferty, K. Cutting, D. and Wang, H. AI-powered VR for enhanced learning compared to traditional methods. Electronics, 13(23):4787, 2024.
Centro de Gestao e Estudos Estrategicos (CGEE). Industria 4.0: arcabouco normativo para a implementacao da industria 4.0 no Brasil. Technical Report 29, CGEE, Brasilia, DF, 2021.
De Troyer, O. Kleinermann, F. Pellens, B. and Bille, W. Conceptual modeling for virtual reality. In Tutorials, Posters, Panels and Industrial Contributions at the 26th International Conference on Conceptual Modeling, 3–18, 2007.
Eswaran, M. and Bahubalendruni, M. V. A. R. Challenges and opportunities on AR/VR technologies for manufacturing systems in the context of Industry 4.0: a state of the art review. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 65:260–278, 2022.
Ghazali, A. K. Ab. Aziz, N. A. Ab. Aziz, K. and Kian, N. T. The usage of virtual reality in engineering education. Cogent Education, 11(1):2319441, 2024.
Latta, J. N. and Oberg, D. J. A conceptual virtual reality model. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 14(1):23–29, 1994.
Lee, T. Wen, Y. Chan, M. Y. Azam, A. B. Looi, C. K. Taib, S. Ooi, C. H. Huang, L. H. Xie, Y. and Cai, Y. Investigation of virtual & augmented reality classroom learning environments in university STEM education. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(6):2617–2632, 2024.
Policy Links. Emerging trends in global advanced manufacturing. University of Cambridge, 12, 2013.
Marks, B. and Thomas, J. Adoption of virtual reality technology in higher education: an evaluation of five teaching semesters in a purpose-designed laboratory. Education and Information Technologies, 27(1):1287–1305, 2022.
Martins, G. S. M. Martins, T. Soares, T. R. Zafalao, I. H. L. Fernandes, A. C. Graziani, A. P. Camillo, B. Z. Simoni, R. and Trabasso, L. G. Optimization machining processes in multi-user cyber-physical cells: a comparative. In 2024 3rd International Conference on Automation, Robotics and Computer Engineering (ICARCE), 50–54. IEEE, 2024.
Mojica-Irigoyen, M. Figueroa-Cavazos, J. O. Rodriguez-Mendoza, A. G. Ruiz-Cantisani, M. I. and Lara-Prieto, V. The effect of a virtual reality resource on the engagement and learning experience of first-year engineering students. In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Education and Multimedia Technology, 1–7, 2023.
Paszkiewicz, A. Salach, M. Dymora, P. Bolanowski, M. Budzik, G. and Kubiak, P. Methodology of implementing virtual reality in education for Industry 4.0. Sustainability, 13(9):5049, 2021.
Rafiq, A. A. Triyono, M. B. and Djatmiko, I. W. Enhancing student engagement in vocational education by using virtual reality. Waikato Journal of Education, 27(3):175–188, 2022.
Sanchez-Lopez, A. L. Jauregui-Jauregui, J. A. Garcia-Carrera, N. A. and Perfecto-Avalos, Y. Evaluating effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in promoting students’ learning and engagement: a case study of analytical biotechnology engineering course. Frontiers in Education, 9:1287615, 2024.
Solmaz, S. Gerling, K. Kester, L. and Van Gerven, T. Behavioral intention, perception and user assessment in an immersive virtual reality environment with CFD simulations. Virtual Reality, 28(2):88, 2024.
Terkaj, W. Urgo, M. Kovacs, P. Toth, E. and Mondellini, M. A framework for virtual learning in industrial engineering education: development of a reconfigurable virtual learning factory application. Virtual Reality, 28(3):148, 2024.
Tori, R. and Hounsell, M. S. Introducao a realidade virtual e aumentada. Porto Alegre: Editora SBC, 61, 2018.
Wen, J. and Gheisari, M. Using virtual reality to facilitate communication in the AEC domain: a systematic review. Construction Innovation, 20(3):509–542, 2020.
Wong, J. Y. Azam, A. B. Cao, Q. Huang, L. Xie, Y. Winkler, I. and Cai, Y. Evaluations of virtual and augmented reality technology-enhanced learning for higher education. Electronics, 13(8):1549, 2024.
Xanthidou, O. K. Aburumman, N. and Ben-Abdallah, H. The impact of collaborative learning virtual environments on student’s performance. In 2024 IEEE International Conference on Metrology for eXtended Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Engineering (MetroXRAINE), 231–236. IEEE, 2024.
Publicado
30/09/2025
Como Citar
HERNANDEZ, Susana Schlosser; HERNANDEZ, Matheus Nicolás; CAMILLO, Bruna Zappelino; PADILHA, Fabiana Regina Rezende.
A Systematic Review of Virtual Reality Applications in Engineering Education: Methodologies, Assessments, and Outcomes. In: SIMPÓSIO DE REALIDADE VIRTUAL E AUMENTADA (SVR), 27. , 2025, Salvador/BA.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2025
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p. 429-438.
