Virtual reality technologies in the educational process: Prospects and dangers

Abstract

The development and implementation of new information and communication technologies provide new forms of interaction between a computer and a person. One of these forms is virtual reality. The article examines immersive virtual reality and provides an analysis of 71 Russian and foreign works devoted to the latest research in the field of studying the phenomenon of virtual reality from the point of view of pedagogical and psychological sciences. Particular attention is paid to the impact of virtual reality on brain activity, behavior and learning. The study of these issues is necessary to analyze the possibility of using virtual reality in education. The sensation of being in a virtual environment in health and disease is considered, a description of the characteristics of virtual environments used in education is given. It is shown that the use of virtual reality demonstrates excellent opportunities in education, but it can also have some negative psychophysiological effects. The review discusses the data obtained by Russian and foreign researchers on the possible psychological risks of prolonged immersion of children and adolescents in virtual reality and suggests the use of virtual reality only on the basis of preliminary testing or questioning. It is concluded that virtual reality, like any other new phenomenon, requires further study.