Journal

Scientia Paedagogica Experimentalis 2026, Vol. 63-1

ISSN

0582-2351

e-ISSN

2953-1446

Title

EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUALREALITY FOR CREATING INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONALENVIRONMENTS: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY

Author

Iqboljon Ovxunov, Guliya Abdyshukurova, Nurzhamal Karasheva,Shokhsanam Shukurova, Anjela Nam

                                                             

Pages

105-130

Keywords

Educational technology, inclusive education, mixed-methods research,students with disabilities, teacher perspectives, virtual reality.

Abstract

The use of virtual reality (VR) in inclusive education is gaining attention, yet empirical evidence from Central Asian educational settings is limited. This study examines how VR-supported learning activities were applied in inclusive classrooms in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, with particular attention to students with autism spectrum disorders, hearing impairments, and musculoskeletal disorders. The research combined descriptive pre- and post-intervention indicators of student performance and engagement with survey data collected from teachers involved in the intervention. Observed changes were reflected in higher task completion rates, more stable patterns of social 130 Iqboljon Ovxunov et al. interaction, and lower anxiety during learning activities, although the extent of these changes differed across disability groups. Teachers reported greater student motivation and participation during VR- supported instruction while also pointing to persistent challenges related to infrastructure, technical support, and access to professional training. Instead of making definite cause-and-effect statements, the findings describe practical trends seen when using VR in inclusive classrooms and point out both the benefits and challenges of using immersive technologies in schools with limited resources.

DOI

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