Empowering Architectural STEM Education: Unveiling Student Experiences Through Virtual Reality (VR) in Building Information Modeling (BIM) Course

The Architectural Engineering Education (AEE) Program faces challenges in incorporating digital tools such as BIM due to limited resources and traditional teaching methods. Virtual Reality (VR) offers a promising solution to enhance the learning experience by immersing students in virtual environments, enabling deeper understanding and hands-on engagement with architectural concepts. This study explores the utilization of VR technology to enhance the learning experience in Building Information Modeling (BIM) courses within the AEE program at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Focusing on student responses after being equipped with low-end VR devices, the research aims to understand the effectiveness of VR technology as a pedagogical tool in STEM-based architecture. Employing a quantitative-qualitative research design, data was collected from 55 students through structured questionnaires and thematic analysis of open-ended responses. The findings reveal predominantly positive perceptions of VR's impact on learning, including enhanced interest, enjoyment, understanding, and recommendation for VR usage. However, challenges such as motion sickness and language proficiency barriers were identified. Positive feedback highlights VR's benefits in fostering engagement, visualization, and teamwork, while negative feedback underscores the need for better preparation, device accessibility, and technical support. Overall, the study underscores VR's potential to revolutionize BIM education while emphasizing the importance of addressing associated challenges for optimal integration and enhanced learning outcomes.