A systematic literature review on the impact of XR on pro-environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors

The integration of Extended Reality (XR) technologies in environmental education represents a potentially transformative way to engage and educate the public about ecological issues. This systematic literature review seeks to examine the expanding use of XR technologies within environmental education. It addresses key research questions regarding the extent, design, methods, and results of XR interventions, offering an in-depth analysis of their effectiveness in promoting environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Based on the findings, the review highlights the importance of integrating XR experiences within established curricula, ensuring precise documentation and design of technologies used, grounding XR development and interventions in educational theory, and selecting appropriate methodologies for exploring critical outcomes. Findings from the literature review provides an overview of XR technology in environmental education, highlights effective practices, and suggests directions for future research. Educators and policymakers can leverage the review’s recommendations to guide the development and implementation of XR interventions that are pedagogically sound, evidence-based, and aligned with educational and environmental objectives, ultimately fostering more impactful and sustainable learning experiences.