Virtual Reality Technology in Education: Dynamic Analysis of Student Engagement and Cognitive Load

Driven by digital technology innovations, VR technology has shown significant application potential in education thanks to its immersive and interactive features. However, the correlation between learners' spatial presence and behavioral engagement remains to be verified, and the possible changes in cognitive load caused by high immersion still need to be empirically tested. In this study, 84 freshmen majoring in digital media technology at a university in Wuhan were selected as the research subjects. A course on chip preparation and assembly technology was designed and implemented. A single-group repeated measurement design was adopted, and questionnaires were developed to assess the students' engagement and cognitive load changes before and after learning. The results showed that the VR course significantly improved students' multi-dimensional engagement performance, but did not significantly increase cognitive load. However, dizziness symptoms were also found in some students due to visual-vestibular system conflicts. The study also pointed out its own shortcomings, made suggestions for future research directions, and provided a reference for the application of VR technology in education.