VIRTUAL REALITY AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The amalgam of contemporary educational challenges, combined with the specificity of today's learners, requires constant adaptation to innovative methods to meet their needs. Today's generation, often referred to as "digital natives," requires personalized learning, based on a variety of modern methods that stimulate their curiosity, develop their ability to adapt quickly and, last, but not least, keep them motivated to learn. With traditional methods becoming less and less appealing to these learners, the future of education needs to be reconsidered by integrating interactive approaches and innovative technologies. While specific formal curriculum activities can condition or limit the use of technologies that create the premises for enjoyable and interactive educational experiences, extracurricular activities are the appropriate space to explore the use of technology in general, and in relation to the topic of the article specifically, Virtual Reality. The use of virtual reality (VR) as an educational tool in extracurricular activities offers a transformative approach to student development, providing immersive, interactive and practical learning opportunities. This article explores the benefits and limitations of integrating VR into extracurricular activities, providing recommendations and examples for effective implementation of this technology.