Immersive Experiences in Virtual Science Labs: A Systematic Review and the VIRTAS Framework
Virtual laboratories and Metaverse platforms are reshaping science education by offering immersive, interactive, and scalable alternatives to traditional labs. This systematic review synthesizes 37 peer-reviewed studies (2021–2024) from Scopus and Web of Science, guided by PRISMA protocols. Findings...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Proceeding |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/51326/1/Immersive%20Experiences.pdf http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/51326/ https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11330708 |
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| Summary: | Virtual laboratories and Metaverse platforms are reshaping science education by offering immersive, interactive, and scalable alternatives to traditional labs. This systematic review synthesizes 37 peer-reviewed studies (2021–2024) from Scopus and Web of Science, guided by PRISMA protocols. Findings show that Augmented and Virtual Reality-based virtual labs enhance understanding of abstract scientific concepts, promote critical thinking, and support collaborative problem-solving through real-time simulations and feedback. These technologies improve access to practical science experiences, especially in under-resourced contexts. Key challenges persist, including digital inequality, cognitive overload, and limited teacher preparedness. To address these, the review proposes a new framework: Virtual Immersion for Real-Time Thinking, Access, and Skills (VIRTAS). It is built on six pedagogical pillars based on the SLR results: immersive simulation, instant feedback, gamified learning, team collaboration, equitable access, and skill scaffolding. Anchored in Theory, Context, Construct and Methods (TCCM) analysis, VIRTAS offers a model for designing and assessing Metaverse-based science labs. The review outlines a roadmap for future research, policy, and practice in immersive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. |
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