Implementing an immersive environment: A critical review of literature

It is widely believed that the use of immersive environments (e.g. games and virtual worlds), specifically electronic-based, can improve learning (i.e. problem solving and deep learning) of students. This study explores the effectiveness of an immersive environment on students' computer literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, cognitive abilities and attitude, by performing an analysis of research studies performed world-wide in the last five years. Constructing an analysis, a critical review of the extant literature on immersive environments was performed, utilizing prominent electronic educational research databases. The literature reviewed indicates a positive relationship between the implementation of immersive environments and student performance. These performance increases specifically relates to problem solving abilities, critical thinking, cognitive abilities and attitude. This paper only reflects on the existing literature to provide guidance as to current research related to immersive environments and the implementation thereof at educational institutions world-wide.