Analysis of the design of an immersive virtual environment using virtual reality for teacher training in higher education

Abstract

In higher education, teacher training is key to improving educational quality. Immersive virtual environments based on virtual reality (VR) have emerged as an innovative tool for teacher training, offering interactive learning experiences and realistic simulations. This article reviews the literature on the use of VR in teacher education in higher education, analysing recent studies and highlighting best practices, benefits, challenges and possible areas for future research. Scientific articles, theses and other documents published between 2019 and 2023 were reviewed in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC and Google Scholar, using search terms such as ‘virtual reality’, ‘teacher education’, ‘higher education’ and ‘immersive virtual environments’. The reviewed studies show that VR offers multiple advantages, such as immersion, simulation of real scenarios and immediate feedback. However, challenges such as technical costs, resource availability, content adaptation and initial teacher training are also recognised. VR is presented as a powerful tool for teacher training in higher education, providing significant benefits in immersion and simulation. However, its effective implementation faces technical and resource obstacles. It is recommended that future research should develop sustainable methodologies for integrating VR into teacher education programmes and assess its long-term impact on educational practice.