A meta-analysis of the effect of virtual reality technology use in education

ABSTRACT

With the rapid development of information technologies, virtual reality (VR) has caught much attention in education. However, scanty studies have been committed to a meta-analysis of its effect in education in terms of various components. This study, through a meta-analysis, systematically reviews the effect of VR technologies on educational outcomes in terms of various components. It concludes that VR technologies generally exert a strong and positive influence on educational outcomes despite some negative findings in their effect on anxiety, cognition, creativeness, gender differences, learning attitudes, learner satisfaction, and engagement. Future research could expand the research by including more publications and examine the effect of VR technologies on educational outcomes through interdisciplinary cooperation.

KEYWORDS:

• Virtual reality
• meta-analysis
• education
• information technology
• gender difference

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our gratitude to the funds that supported this research: 2019 MOOC of Beijing Language and Culture University (MOOC201902) (Important) ‘Introduction to Linguistics’; ‘Introduction to Linguistics’ of online and offline mixed courses in Beijing Language and Culture University in 2020; Special fund of Beijing Co-construction Project-Research and reform of the ‘Undergraduate Teaching Reform and Innovation Project’ of Beijing higher education in 2020-innovative ‘multilingual +’ excellent talent training system (202010032003).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zhonggen Yu

Zhonggen Yu Professor (distinguished) and Ph.D. Supervisor in Beijing Language and Culture University, Ph.D. in English language, a dual Master-degree holder in applied linguistics and law, and a post-doctoral researcher in psycho-linguistics, has already published over 90 academic papers on distinguished journals based on rich teaching and research experiences. His research interest includes educational technologies, language attrition, and language acquisition.