Research Article

Exploring EFL teachers’ perceptions of using virtual reality in education

Ali Sharaf Al Musawi 1 * , Asma Al Suhi 1 2 , Zainab Al Mamari 1 2
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1 Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, OMAN2 Ministry of Education, Muscat, OMAN* Corresponding Author
Contemporary Educational Technology, 17(2), April 2025, ep562, https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/15835
Published Online: 07 January 2025, Published: 01 April 2025
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ABSTRACT

Virtual reality (VR) has fundamentally changed how students interact with their subjects and learn because it offers an immersive learning environment. This qualitative study aims at exploring Omani English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ perceptions of using VR. It employed semi-structured interviews with 20 schoolteachers working in Al-Dhahira Educational Governorate in Oman, 10 females and 10 males. The findings revealed positive perceptions towards VR integration into education. However, the study found key challenges hindering the implementation of VR in education, including time constraints, technological barriers, financial concerns, the need for professional training, content creation challenges, and the necessity for students to acclimate to VR technology. Further, it showed that the primary concerns related to VR focus on cultural considerations, hacking, privacy, data security, and potential addiction. It also illustrated teachers’ main recommendations of providing sufficient infrastructure, institutional support, and continuous research on such technology. This research fills a gap in literature regarding the effective integration of VR into the Omani educational system. By tackling the specific challenges related to this context, it provides valuable implications and recommendations for Omani policymakers and educators to introduce VR for students in public schools in Oman.
Keywords: virtual reality, Oman, EFL schoolteachers, perceptions, technology integration

CITATION (APA)

Al Musawi, A. S., Al Suhi, A., & Al Mamari, Z. (2025). Exploring EFL teachers’ perceptions of using virtual reality in education. Contemporary Educational Technology, 17(2), ep562. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/15835

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