Educational Innovation in Engineering: Integrating Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence in First-Year Student Training

This article presents a study on educational innovation that explores the implementation of emerging technologies, specifically Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), in engineering education. The intervention was conducted with a group of first-year students in an electromagnetics systems course, utilizing the VR application IndustrialVR - Hoover Dam and the AI application VirtualSpeech. Over four weeks, students participated in weekly sessions where these technologies were integrated to complement and enhance theoretical learning. Student perceptions of the immersive VR experience were measured using the Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ), while the acceptance and effectiveness of the AI were evaluated using a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. The results indicate a high level of immersion and acceptance of the technologies, suggesting their potential as pedagogical tools in engineering education. The implications for future educational applications and the expansion of these technologies are discussed in detail.