The effect of the use of virtual reality in teaching social studies on the academic achievement of secondary school 6th grade students

While technological advancements continue to progress rapidly worldwide, the field of education has endeavored to keep pace with these developments, ensuring it does not lag behind in technology. The advancements in science and technology are closely related to the field of Social Studies, which examines society's past, present, and future, preparing individuals more proficiently for life. Therefore, the use of new and constantly evolving technology is crucial in the Social Studies field. The aim of this study is to determine the academic achievement levels of students in a planned Social Studies course using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. This goal was pursued through research conducted at a middle school affiliated with the Ministry of Education (MEB) in Sultanhanı district of Aksaray province. The study employed a Quantitative research method in a Semi-Experimental design. Academic achievement tests were utilized in the study, with 20 sixth-grade students participating. The research was conducted during the 2022-2023 academic year. VR goggles were used for applications during the study, and post-application academic achievement tests were administered. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analyses using SPSS 22 software. Based on the analyses, statistically significant differences were observed between the experimental group that received VR applications and the control group. Recommendations were developed based on the findings of the research.