Use of VR in Higher Education: A Systematic Review (2014-2023)

Abstract

With the ongoing advancement of intelligent information technology, virtual reality (VR) higher education, during this new era of reform, the incorporation of VR technology has led to an evolution of teaching methods. VR technology has been integrated into education and teaching, for example through virtual laboratories, digital environments and simulation-based training, thus providing higher education institutions with diverse teaching approaches and developmental opportunities.This study systematically categorises the utilisation of VR technology in tertiary education through the analysis of two databases, Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus.The systematic review process was conducted by referring to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items forSystematic Review and Meta-Analyses) as a guide, and 29 articles were extracted from the 478 articles for the period 2014 to 2023, taking into account exclusion and inclusion criteria.Firstly, the review revealed significant benefits of using VR applications in higher education, which were categorised into three categories. Secondly, the review examined challenges related to the use of VR in higher education content and categorised them into five categories.Overall, this review consolidates research discoveries and pragmatic insights to offer a refined comprehension of the present condition of VR in advanced education. Moreover, it provides recommendations for future development, which holds significant value for the effective use of VR technology in higher education.