Teaching Chemistry: A Comprehensive Analysis of Virtual Simulators as Pedagogical Tools

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze how innovations in both pedagogical and technological fields impact the teaching of chemistry, with the integration of virtual simulators to enrich the teaching-learning process. In order to achieve this purpose, a qualitative methodology based on the PBMI strategy was employed, which includes the definition and formulation of the object of study, an effective search using Boolean operators, the application of bibliometric design indicators, and metadata mining using the "R" language - Bibliometrix and Vosviewer libraries. An exploration was carried out in the Scopus database to identify relevant documents published between 2020 and 2024. Studies were selected for their thematic relevance and open access, identifying a total of 78 documents for review. Findings highlight the relevance of chemistry education in areas such as health, nutrition, and advances in nanomaterials, and there is a growing trend in scientific production in this field. It is concluded that the effective integration of virtual simulators and the adoption of interdisciplinary approaches are fundamental for the evolution of chemistry teaching and to address contemporary challenges in education, medicine, industry, and the environment. Keywords: Chemistry teaching, virtual simulators, pedagogical innovation, inclusive education, bibliometric analysis.