Virtualization

Virtualization technologies, including Virtual Reality, Extended Reality, and simulation-based learning environments, can transform Challenge-Based Learning by enabling experiences that are impossible or impractical in physical settings. A critical review of 33 studies found that VR promotes student engagement across cognitive, behavioral, and affective dimensions, is particularly effective for students with learning disabilities, and operates through three key pillars: presence, interactivity, and immersion (Lin et al., 2024). Virtual Reality Laboratories (VRLs) extend this potential into practical skills development: a recent systematic review confirmed that VRLs allow students to learn complex experimental processes without physical resources, while also improving accessibility for students with disabilities (Pikhart et al., 2025). This is particularly valuable in CBL contexts involving expensive equipment, hazardous materials, or otherwise inaccessible real-world settings, where a meta-analysis further demonstrated that virtual labs significantly boost learning motivation and engagement in engineering education (Li & Liang, 2024).

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• Lin, X. P., Li, B. B., Yao, Z. N., Yang, Z., & Zhang, M. (2024). The impact of virtual reality on student engagement in the classroom — a critical review of the literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1360574. 🔗 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1360574
• Pikhart, M., et al. (2025). Virtual reality as a learning tool: Evaluating the use and effectiveness of simulation laboratories in educational settings. ScienceDirect. 🔗 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259029112500470X (Note: verify full author list and journal name from the article page)
• Li, J., & Liang, W. (2024). Effectiveness of virtual laboratory in engineering education: A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE. 🔗 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316269