Exploring the “Presence” of Prospective Teachers in the Virtual Reality Environment: A Qualitative Study

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the perception of “presence” of 43 prospective teachers participating in a virtual reality (VR) environment with an immersion function and to describe their opinions and experiences regarding the implementation process. The case study model, a qualitative research approach, was used. Participants experienced the VR environment using an HTC Vive device with an immersive feature. Qualitative data were collected through a structured interview form at the end of the application. Findings indicated that most participants provided positive perceptions regarding their VR experience. Additionally, the perceptions of participants were categorized into three main areas: technology, design, and individual characteristics. These categories and the participants’ experiences may contribute to the process of integrating VR systems into educational environments and developing novel VR applications.