The Future of Moral Education? Using Virtual Reality Experiences

Historically, moral education has predominantly involved the use of textbooks, films, and in-class role plays. It has also, at times, included the teaching of values and rules, as well as skills aimed at developing compassion. However, theories of morality suggest that moral development also entails fostering an independent understanding of and reflection on moral concepts, rather than merely acquiring knowledge and developing skills. This raises challenges for moral education: what should be taught, and how should it be taught? Virtual Reality (VR) technology has the potential to offer a timely and innovative approach to teaching morality. This article provides a narrative review of recent developments in the use of VR for moral education. VR technology enables users to ‘immersively’ visualize moral options and the consequences of their decisions. This may allow learners to develop a deeper understanding of the possible moral implications of their actions and provide the flexibility to shape their own moral values. This narrative review specifically focusses on concrete steps and concepts of how digital VR technology might practically be implemented in the classroom to enhance learning experiences.