Interpersonal Communication in Virtual Laboratories during the pandemic: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Interpersonal communication is crucial in education for developing lifelong problem-solving skills. Despite its decline during the pandemic, research in virtual educational environments, such as Virtual Laboratories, remains limited. On the other hand, the pandemic has stimulated exploration and development of these tools. The objective of this article is to identify problematic situations in Virtual Laboratories to enhance interpersonal communication. Employing a Systematic Literature Review method encompassing articles published between 2019 and 2022, our study yields the following key findings: a) Interpersonal communication remains undercovered in main focus; b) Technical and natural disciplines dominate in Virtual Laboratories; c) The research on interpersonal communication is insufficiently addressed in main objectives and results; d) Interpersonal communication is valued for various pedagogical reasons, with its relevance in collaborative learning standing out; e) The concept of Virtual Laboratory adopted by researchers may guide the way the importance of interpersonal communication is seen. This research will benefit the innovation process in the context of Virtual Laboratories in need to develop the competencies of global importance.