Virtual Reality in (Physics) Education: Impact on Critical Spots

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) headsets are transforming education by providing immersive and interactive learning experiences. This paper examines the use of VR in school settings, particularly in physics, highlighting its potential to en-hance engagement, collaboration, and understanding of complex topics. VR al-lows for virtual field trips, interactive simulations, and access to remote re-sources, making learning more engaging and accessible.However, challenges such as equipment costs, technical issues, and health is-sues as cybersickness must be addressed. Our study, which included a pedagogical experiment on Newton's laws of motion with secondary school students, showed mixed results. While students enjoyed VR, it did not significantly im-prove conceptual understanding compared to traditional methods. This suggests the need for a phased approach where students first get comfortable with VR technology.The findings underscore the importance of developing a coherent didactic framework and overcoming practical challenges to maximize the benefits of VR in education. Despite initial setbacks, the potential of VR to enhance learning experiences is considerable and warrants further exploration and refinement.