Evaluation of virtual reality in the subject of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development in Industrial Civil Engineering

Abstract

This research addresses the adoption of immersive technologies in Higher Education, highlighting how Virtual Reality (VR) generates positive effects on engineering learning by enabling safe and accessible interaction with complex environments. The study is situated within the Environmental Management and Sustainable Development course of Industrial Civil Engineering at the Catholic University of Temuco, seeking to close gaps in competency assessment through measurements taken before and after the intervention. The methodology consisted of characterizing a student sample of 27 using Likert scale surveys of digital skills and knowledge before and after the VR activity. The students used the OpLab virtual laboratory and head-mounted displays (HMDs) to tour a production plant, where they had to identify environmental aspects and impacts, recognize stakeholders, and propose environmental management tools. The results revealed a significant positive impact: the ability to detect environmental aspects increased by 29%, while knowledge of management tools grew by 59%. Furthermore, confidence in proposing sustainable solutions doubled after the experience. It is concluded that VR not only facilitates the understanding of industrial systems that are difficult to visit due to cost or logistical challenges, but also promotes meaningful and reflective learning, better preparing future professionals for decision-making in complex scenarios.