The Role of Virtual Reality in Enhancing Computer Science Education
This program is tentative and subject to change.
This paper explores the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in computer science education, focusing on its potential to enhance understanding of abstract concepts and improve student engagement. By reviewing 29 academic papers, we examine how VR has been applied to topics such as finite state machines, computational thinking, and algorithms, and assess its effectiveness in promoting knowledge retention. The review identifies key benefits of VR, including its immersive, hands-on learning experiences and its ability to visualize complex topics in an intuitive manner. However, challenges such as the high cost of VR technology and its limited accessibility in educational settings are also highlighted. Additionally, comparisons between VR and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as educational tools are discussed, weighing their respective benefits for improving student comprehension. Our findings suggest that while VR shows significant promise in transforming computer science education, further research is needed to evaluate its cost-effectiveness and scalability for widespread use.