Students, Experience Using a Web-based Virtual Reality Tool

The Covid-19 social distancing policies forced educational institutions to make significant changes. Schools had to migrate to a non-face-to-face modality using technological tools. However, using these communication platforms had negative consequences for students, such as concentration difficulties and feelings of isolation and anxiety. One alternative disruptive technology used to reduce these problems is virtual reality. This research aimed to know the users' experience with a Virtual Campus based on WebVR activities at a higher education institution in Mexico. The methodology applied was a qualitative case study. The results indicated satisfactory student experience, engaged participant interaction, dynamic activities, and socialization in an environment similar to face-to-face education. The main difficulties related to specific technical problems using the tool. However, these did not affect the positive assessment of the participants since 92.7% of the respondents would recommend a friend to use it. Future studies should include the teachers' perspective, design strategies that promote activities organized by students, and inclusion of others unrelated to academia.