Virtual environments in university students: A systematic review study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15368517Keywords:
artificial intelligence, virtual environments, strategiesAbstract
The objective of this study was to analyze the implications of virtual environments for university students. To this end, the PRISMA method was used, ensuring a systematic and transparent selection process. Regarding the inclusion criteria, articles published in recognized databases, such as Scopus and Scielo, were considered, using the keywords "virtual environments" AND "students," both in Spanish and English. Furthermore, only open-access articles published between 2021 and 2025 were included, and Boolean operators such as AND and OR were applied during the search. As an exclusion criterion, articles published before 2020 were discarded. In total, 25 relevant articles were selected: 22 from Scopus and 3 from Scielo. The results show that virtual environments are a valuable tool for improving the educational experience in the university setting. These environments facilitate personalized learning, optimize feedback and assessment, and provide more interactive and engaging educational experiences. Likewise, the use of artificial intelligence as a support tool, through chatbots and virtual assistants, represents a promising alternative for providing feedback and managing educational workload. These innovative technologies have the potential to transform the university experience, fostering collaboration between students and promoting adaptive learning. Furthermore, they enhance skills such as cognitive flexibility and creativity, while intelligent tutoring systems personalize teaching through algorithms and machine learning. However, it is important to consider the ethical and legal challenges associated with the use of virtual environments and artificial intelligence. Therefore, critical reflection on their implementation is required, avoiding evaluating them solely from a functional perspective.
Downloads
References
Adamopoulou, E., & Moussiades, L. (2020). Chatbots: History, technology, and applications. Machine Learning with Applications, 2, 100006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mlwa.2020.100006
Adelana, O. P., Ayanwale, M. A., & Sanusi, I. T. (2024). Exploring pre-service biology teachers’ intention to teach genetics using an AI intelligent tutoring-based system. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2310976. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2310976
Annuš, N. (2023). Chatbots in education: The impact of artificial intelligence based ChatGPT on teachers and students. All Sciences Abstracts, 1(2), 26. https://doi.org/10.59287/as-abstracts.1216
Banihashem, S. K., Kerman, N. T., Noroozi, O., Moon, J., & Drachsler, H. (2024). Feedback sources in essay writing: Peer-generated or AI-generated feedback? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00455-4
Bouhouita-Guermech, S., Gogognon, P., & Bélisle-Pipon, J. C. (2023). Specific challenges posed by artificial intelligence in research ethics. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 6, 1149082. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2023.1149082
Chang, D. H., Lin, M. P. C., Hajian, S., & Wang, Q. Q. (2023). Educational design principles of using AI chatbot that supports self-regulated learning in education: Goal setting, feedback, and personalization. Sustainability, 15(17), 12921. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712921
Conceição, V. A. D. S., & Chagas, A. M. (2020). The researcher and scientific divulgation in the context of cyberculture and artificial intelligence. Acta Scientiarum - Education, 42, e52879. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascieduc.v42i1.52879
Coeckelbergh, M. (2024). All too real metacapitalism: Towards a non-dualist political ontology of metaverse. Ethics and Information Technology, 26, 30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-024-09768-4
Dede, C., & Lidwell, W. (2023). Developing a next-generation model for massive digital learning. Education Sciences, 13(8), 845. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13080845
Ferry, F., Grifoni, P., & Guzzo, T. (2020). Online learning and emergency remote teaching: Opportunities and challenges in emergency situations. Societies, 10(4), 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc10040086
Fritts, M., & Cabrera, F. (2021). AI recruitment algorithms and the dehumanization problem. Ethics and Information Technology, 23(4), 791–801. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-021-09615-w
Huang, L. (2023). Ethics of artificial intelligence in education: Student privacy and data protection. Science Insights Education Frontiers, 16(2), 2577–2587. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.23.re202
Ilić, M., Mikić, V., Kopanja, L., & Vesin, B. (2023). Intelligent techniques in e-learning: A literature review. Artificial Intelligence Review, 56(12), 10508. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-023-10508-1
Jara-Abanto, F., & Velasquez-Medina, L. (2023). Machine learning for the improvement of adaptive learning in university education. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología, 2, 473. https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf2023473
Kamalov, F., & Gurrib, I. (2023). A new era of artificial intelligence in education: A multifaceted revolution. Sustainability, 15(12451), 1–27. http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.18303
Khlaif, Z. N., Mousa, A., Hattab, M. K., Itmazi, J., Hassan, A. A., Sanmugam, M., & Ayyoub, A. (2023). The potential and concerns of using AI in scientific research: ChatGPT performance evaluation. JMIR Medical Education, 9(1), e47049. https://doi.org/10.2196/47049
Kumar, J. A. (2021). Educational chatbots for project-based learning: Investigating learning outcomes for a team-based design course. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00302-w
Lastrucci, A., Votta, C., Serventi, E., Cornacchione, P., Francioni, S., Wandael, Y., Talamonti, C., & Ricci, R. (2025). The application of virtual environment radiotherapy for RTT training: A scoping review. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 55(2), 339–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2024.02.013
Michel-Villarreal, R., Vilalta-Perdomo, E., Salinas-Navarro, D. E., Thierry-Aguilera, R., & Gerardou, F. S. (2023). Challenges and opportunities of generative AI for higher education as explained by ChatGPT. Education Sciences, 13(9), 856. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13090856
Moral-Sánchez, S. N., Rey, F. J. R., & Cebrián-De-la-Serna, M. (2023). Analysis of artificial intelligence chatbots and satisfaction for learning in mathematics education. International Journal of Educational Research and Innovation, 23(20), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.46661/ijeri.8196
Morduchowicz, R. (2021). Adolescentes, participación y ciudadanía digital. Fondo de Cultura Económica. https://www.fce.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Morduchowicz-Adolescentes-participacion-y-ciudadania-digital.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooxvnjdlboNup6NhA_q0d7BN3NG0fDZwx38NcBdOf-p6Xxb37X_
Ng, D., Leung, J., Su, J., Ng, R., & Chu, S. (2023). Teachers’ AI digital competencies and twenty-first century skills in the post-pandemic world. Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(1), 137–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10203-6
Palma-Troncoso, M., Vallejos-Gómez, R. M., & Urra-Barra, G. (2024). Ser profesor en entornos virtuales: Desafíos y demandas post pandemia a la formación inicial docente. Una aproximación desde la evaluación de futuros profesores y mentores. Revista de Estudios y Experiencias en Educación, 23(51), 197–212. https://doi.org/10.21703/rexe.v23i51.2156
Peng, Y., Wang, Y., & Hu, J. (2023). Examining ICT attitudes, use and support in blended learning settings for students’ reading performance: Approaches of artificial intelligence and multilevel model. Computers & Education, 203, 104846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104846
Popescu, R. I., Sabie, O. M., & Trușcă, M. I. (2023). The contribution of artificial intelligence to stimulating the innovation of educational services and university programs in public administration. Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, 23(70), 85–108. https://doi.org/10.24193/tras.70E.5
Rodríguez, M. (2021). Sistemas de tutoría inteligente y su aplicación en la educación superior. RIDE. Revista Iberoamericana de Investigación y Desarrollo Educativo, 11(22), e015. https://doi.org/10.23913/ride.v11i22.848
Sánchez, S., & Calderón, R. (2025). Los entornos virtuales como agentes de fortalecimiento del pensamiento creativo: Una revisión sistemática. Revista Científica UISRAEL, 12(1), 15–31. https://doi.org/10.35290/rcui.v12n1.2025.1110
Shanley, D., & Meacham, D. (2024). A place where “you can be who you’ve always wanted to be…” Examining the ethics of intelligent virtual environments. Journal of Responsible Technology, 18, 100085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrt.2024.100085
Vogelsang, L., Wright, S., Risling, T., De Padua, A., Leidl, D., Wilson, J., & Thompson, D. (2024). Exploring the use of immersive virtual reality in nursing education: A scoping review. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 97, 101648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2024.101648
Wang, S., Liang, C., Gao, Y., Ye, Y., Qiu, J., Tao, C., & Wang, H. (2024). Social media insights into spatio-temporal emotional responses to COVID-19 crisis. Health & Place, 85, 103174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103174
Zhang, S., Zhao, X., Zhou, T., & Kim, J. H. (2024). Do you have AI dependency? The roles of academic self-efficacy, academic stress, and performance expectations on problematic AI usage behavior. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00467-0
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The journal is licensed under the Attribution License (CC BY), allowing the possibility of copying, distributing, displaying, and producing derivative works, as long as the author is acknowledged and cited.







