The effects of virtual reality-based mathematics activities on second-grade students' computational thinking skills and mathematics achievement
THINKING SKILLS AND CREATIVITY, cilt.62, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 62
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.tsc.2026.102334
- Dergi Adı: THINKING SKILLS AND CREATIVITY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, EBSCO Education Source, Psycinfo, Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study investigated the effects of virtual reality-based mathematics activities on second-grade students' computational thinking skills and mathematics achievement. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. The sample consisted of 54 students from a public primary school in T & uuml;rkiye, during the 2024-2025 academic year, divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in mathematics lessons utilizing virtual reality headset-based activities developed with the Cospaces (Delightex) platform. In contrast, the control group received instruction through traditional methods aligned with curriculum objectives. Data were collected through the Computational Thinking Skills Scale, Mathematics Achievement Test, and a Personal Information Form. Quantitative analyses revealed that virtual reality-based instruction had a significant positive effect on both mathematics achievement and computational thinking skills. The experimental group outperformed the control group in posttest scores, with significant pre-post gains observed only in the experimental group. Qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews with the experimental group identified seven themes: initial reactions, comparisons with traditional lessons, conceptual understanding and retention, computational thinking and strategy use, self-efficacy and perceived success, engagement and motivation, and technical challenges/future integration. Students reported that virtual reality increased engagement, improved understanding, enhanced retention, fostered positive attitudes toward mathematics, and was desirable for use in other subjects.