From users to creators: Design and evaluation of a VR professional development program for educators

As immersive technologies expand in education, a gap persists between teachers’ familiarity with virtual reality (VR) tools and effective pedagogical use. This study designed, implemented, and evaluated a 60-h VR Trainer Training Program using Educational Design Research (EDR) and the Taba-Tyler curriculum model. Sixteen teachers participated in a needs analysis, followed by 42 in-service teachers from 30 provinces in Türkiye engaging in the training program. The curriculum combined theoretical instruction with hands-on practice in tools such as Unity and Blender, supported by scaffolded learning and peer collaboration. Findings show significant gains in technical competence and pedagogical integration, with 85 % of participants producing technically functional VR projects and 72 % aligning them with curricular objectives. Teachers reported increased confidence and a shift from users to creators of VR content, though challenges remained regarding subject-specific examples, limited time for mastering advanced tools, and the need for sustained institutional support. The study offers a scalable model for professional development in immersive learning and underscores the importance of structured training for sustainable VR adoption. • VR training program improved teachers' technical and pedagogical skills. • Teachers' professional identity shifted toward proactive VR content creation. • 85 % of participants produced technically sound VR instructional products. • Challenges remain in subject-specific examples and advanced tool mastery. • Study offers scalable model for VR professional development in education.