Educators Perception on Integrating Virtual Reality in Classrooms: A Lebanese Context

Abstract

Today’s generation exhibits a strong affinity for video games, presenting an opportunity to harness this interest for educational purposes. Integrating gaming elements into education has the potential to captivate students while improving information retention. Virtual Reality (VR), in particular, offers a transformative approach by creating immersive and interactive learning experiences. From exploring fictional worlds in literature to revisiting historical landmarks that no longer exist and even shrinking to the size of an atom to study its components, VR makes abstract concepts tangible and accessible. In our study, we investigated the feasibility of integrating VR into Lebanese classrooms. Data was collected through an online survey with 110 respondents and interviews with 14 educators. The findings reveal that educators are enthusiastic about VR’s potential but express caution about its implementation. While acknowledging benefits such as enhanced student engagement, improved retention, and alignment with student preferences, they also highlighted challenges, including physical side effects, the need for teacher training, extensive preparation, and classroom management complexities. Additionally, educators proposed a comprehensive list of activities that could effectively utilize VR in educational settings, reflecting a balance between innovation and practical application. These insights underline the need for further exploration and structured planning to successfully integrate VR into the Lebanese educational system.