THE POTENTIAL OF VIRTUAL REALITY AS A SUPPORT TOOL IN EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE

Abstract

The use of virtual learning platforms, which has been intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic, reinforces the importance of digital transformation in the educational process. Corroborated by the European Commission's (2022) investigation of the eXtended Reality ecosystem and the promotion through IN.CoDe.2030 (Portugal, 2017) in the field of digital inclusion and training, immersive technologies can be allied and integrated into the learning process in the educational environment. The doctoral project, developed in phases and interactive cycles (literature review; pedagogical framework; development and validation of an educational prototype), uses Design-Based Research (DBR) as a methodological approach and aims to specify a set of guidelines from an educational and informatics point of view that detail the requirements to build a pedagogical framework that guides immersive educational experiences to teachers at the beginning of their training. The project is currently reviewing the literature and it intends to

investigate the potential of Virtual Reality (VR), to map the use of VR resources and to answer the question: How does Virtual Reality contribute to learning? This research intends to stimulate the discussion about the use of technology in the educational process, especially immersive technologies. The study allowed us to verify how VR is influencing educational practice.