Are primary schools ready for immersive virtual reality? Resistance among stakeholders

Sarah Schnyder, Josua Dubach, Lucas Dall’Olio, Sebastian Tempelmann, Trix Cacchione and Corinna S. Martarelli ()
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Sarah Schnyder: UniDistance Suisse
Josua Dubach: University of Teacher Education Bern
Lucas Dall’Olio: UniDistance Suisse
Sebastian Tempelmann: University of Teacher Education Bern
Trix Cacchione: University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Corinna S. Martarelli: UniDistance Suisse

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Immersive virtual reality (IVR), as presented through headsets, is becoming increasingly relevant in education, especially in STEM fields, due to its potential to make complex concepts more accessible. Despite empirical evidence revealing the potential of IVR, its adoption in primary schools remains low. The objective of this paper is to examine the level of acceptance and intention to use IVR among different stakeholders in Swiss primary schools. To achieve this, we conducted online questionnaires with directors (n = 37), teachers (n = 70), and parents/caregivers (n = 202). The results indicated considerable variability in the responses, with a general resistance to integrating IVR being detected across all groups. Common reasons for this resistance included high costs, technical challenges, and uncertainty about IVR’s pedagogical value. However, we found that individuals who saw value in IVR were more likely to express the intention to integrate it into their schools. We discuss the importance of bridging the gap between IVR research and the reality of school implementation through targeted projects to encourage its integration into primary education.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05702-1

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