The Use of VR/AR End-User Development Tools in Education: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

This paper focuses on the use and implementation of end-user development (EUD) tools in teaching, with a special focus on creating virtual reality (VR)- and augmented reality (AR)-based teaching and learning resources. The study sheds light on the current trends in teachers’ usage, needs, and attitudes towards VR/AR technology, as well as the aspects software designers should consider when developing teachers’ VR/AR authoring tools. We surveyed 210 teachers specialising in various subject areas and with different levels of education. We analysed the collected responses, reviewed the existing literature and drew upon our experience as software designers and teacher trainers to identify teachers’ readiness and willingness to integrate VR/AR technologies into their teaching and help future software developers create user-friendly and effective VR/AR authoring tools aligned with teachers’ interests and needs. The study results indicate that teachers seldom use VR/AR technologies, highlighting the need for increased teacher training in VR/AR technologies and EUD tools and stronger collaboration among software developers, teachers and learners.