Virtual Reality Education Lab: Learning Beyond Imagination
The Virtual Reality Education Lab: Learning Beyond Imagination is at the heart of our efforts to transform education in underserved communities. This cutting-edge lab is dedicated to advancing innovative educational practices by harnessing the power of immersive technology. As part of the Institute for Community Education and Research, the lab is crucial in bridging educational gaps in disadvantaged areas. Through a range of programs designed to stimulate learning processes among students and promote the professional development of teachers in the periphery, we are working to create opportunities for future generations and support educators in their vital roles.
Prof. Michalsky and her lab team have developed the innovative “PfS” (Pedagogical Frameworks for Self-regulation) method, designed to enhance preservice and inservice teachers’ “professional vision” (PV) for self-regulated learning (SRL). This method enables teachers to analyze SRL-teaching events using video cases of expert educators. The “PfS” method integrates computer-based observation tools to analyze and code both quantitative and qualitative classroom pedagogical scenarios. Additionally, Prof. Michalsky and her team have established a unified, interdisciplinary research agenda focused on exploring the use of immersive technologies—such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR)—to study, measure, understand, teach, and train self-regulation (and metacognition) among both human and artificial teachers and learners in STEM education. These technologies open up innovative avenues for integrating educational, psychological, instructional, engineering, and computing sciences to address pressing educational, instructional, and training challenges. The Prof. Tova Michalsky lab’s research contributes to a transformative agenda aimed at advancing the science of learning, teaching, and instruction. By systematically addressing 21st-century educational challenges, Prof. Michalsky’s work seeks to make significant and measurable progress in overcoming contemporary issues facing education and training on a national and global scale.
Clinical Simulations in Education: clinical simulations provide a controlled ,realistic environment for students to practice and refine their skills ,particularly in fields like medicine ,psychology ,and teacher training .These simulations allow for experiential learning ,enabling participants to respond to real-world scenarios without the risks associated with actual practice.
Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLEs): Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environments offer learners an engaging, interactive space to explore complex concepts and scenarios.
Diversity in Classrooms: Diversity in classrooms encompasses cultural, linguistic, socio-economic, and learning differences among students. This area explores strategies for creating inclusive classrooms, promoting equity in education, and addressing systemic barriers.
Adaptive Teaching Strategies: Adaptive teaching involves tailoring instructional methods to meet the unique needs of individual learners. Adaptive teaching research explores how technology can support personalized learning pathways and improve outcomes for students with varying abilities and needs.
Education department: Ofakim, Ber-Sheva, kibbutz Capri, Eshel Hanasi, Holon and Caduri
Grants EFG- EARLI
Grants: EFG EARLI The Emerging Field Group (EFG) initiative aims to support researchers engaged in innovative and promising fields. An EFG is composed of a small, internationally active group of researchers focused on learning and instruction within a newly emerging area of study. EARLI provides these researchers with the opportunity to collaborate intensively over a short period, exploring new possibilities and advancing knowledge within their shared field of interest.
Prof .Tova Michalsky PhD students : Zorit Yassin ,Sharon Offri ,Sharon Sofer ,Odelia Ozeri
Email: Tova.Michalsky@biu.ac.il
Last Updated Date : 09/12/2025
