Advancing virtual learning spaces in Ukraine's educational institutions

In the era of innovative societal development, virtual reality technologies are becoming an integral tool in the educational process. This article aims to analyse the potential of immersive technologies in implementing virtual learning environments in educational institutions in Ukraine. It has been found that immersive technologies are rapidly evolving from being an innovation to a practical and widely used range of tools. The study established that their implementation into the educational policy paradigm is seen as a promising necessity and a factor in intensifying the quality of education. The essence of the phenomenon of immersive technologies has been specified, with their components distinguished, including objective reality, virtual reality, and augmented reality. The specifics of involving immersive technologies in the educational process in Ukrainian educational institutions have been highlighted. An experiment was conducted involving virtual reality technologies in the professional educational environment of future fire safety specialists through the VR programme FLAIM Systems. During the study of the peculiarities of virtual reality technologies in educational modelling, the priority advantages and associated risks of their integration were highlighted. It was found that the potential of immersive technologies stimulates the optimisation of understanding complex concepts and significantly expands the toolkit of future industry specialists. It was determined that engaging visualisations and the experience of using virtual reality technologies offer an intuitive approach to rather abstract concepts that are difficult to reproduce within the framework of classical pedagogical technologies. It has been substantiated that using virtual reality technologies in the educational and management process has significant advantages over the traditional methodology of educational processes, as it actively engages the sensory system and emotional sphere. It has been proven that virtual reality (VR programmes) has significant potential to positively impact the quality of education in educational institutions in Ukraine.