2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Integrating Immersive Virtual Reality for Enhanced Learning in Engineering: A Case Study in Higher Education in Lebanon

Presented at New Engineering Educators (NEE) Technical Session 2 - Technology Tools (VR and AI)

Virtual Reality (VR) has increasingly been utilized to enhance the quality of teaching and learning experiences in higher education. In recent years, VR has been introduced in Engineering programs to provide immersive and experiential learning opportunities. Over the past three years at [Institution name deleted to maintain the integrity of the review process], immersive VR content has been developed and incorporated into several Engineering courses, with the scope of these offerings expanding based on faculty needs and student demand. These lessons have been well-received, with student feedback highlighting numerous benefits, including improved mastery of complex concepts in a shorter time, increased concentration, and greater active participation in class activities.

This study, focusing on three VR immersive Engineering-based course lessons, demonstrates that VR technologies are effective tools for enhancing student engagement and learning efficiency in Engineering Education. The findings suggest that immersive technologies have the potential to transform traditional teaching methods by providing life-like, experiential lessons that accelerate learning and improve comprehension. This paper outlines the methods used to develop and integrate VR modules into Engineering courses, analyzes student feedback, and discusses how these insights can further refine the use of immersive technologies in education. By addressing both technological and pedagogical dimensions, the study contributes to the growing body of research supporting the integration of VR to enhance learning outcomes in Engineering Education.

Authors

Dr. Evan Fakhoury http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9208-5037 Lebanese American University [biography]

Evan Fakhoury, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Lebanese American University and the Assistant Director of the LAU Industrial Hub. With a deep passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Fakhoury has founded a VR/AR digital consulting agency, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve human-computer interaction. At the Lebanese American University, his research focuses on virtual reality, immersive learning, and engineering education. He is heading a VR/AR research unit at the school of engineering which is tasked with developing immersive VR/AR content for engineering courses. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers, bringing his expertise in immersive technologies into the classroom to enhance student learning.
Michel Elkhoury http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-2732-4190 Lebanese American University
Dr. Pierre Rahme Lebanese American University [biography]

Mechanical Engineering background
Dr. Abbas A. Tarhini Lebanese American University [biography]

Dr. Abbas A. Tarhini is an associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at the Lebanese American University (LAU). Dr. Tarhini is a member of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and an honorable member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He is the past president of the Middle East and North Africa Association for Information Systems (MENA-AIS), the AIS MENA chapter and the VP for research at the Information and Communication Technologies in Organizations and Society alliance (ICTO), France. He is an active member of the VIP Consortium and is on the steering committees of a number of international conferences. Dr. Tarhini served as a guest editor and a member of the editorial board of several peer-reviewed highly ranked journals. His research is published in recognized journals
Dr. George E Nasr Lebanese American University [biography]

Dr. George E. Nasr has been Provost at the Lebanese American University (LAU) since 2018, following his tenure as Dean of the LAU School of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and has published extensively on energy modeling and engineering education. He is an active member of IEEE and ASEE and serves on various international educational committees.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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