Advancing Inclusive Educational VR: A Bibliometric Study of Interface Design

  • Kudakwashe Maguraushe University of South Africa, South Africa
  • Fine Masimba University of South Africa, South Africa
  • Bester Chimbo University of South Africa, South Africa
Keywords: virtual reality, accessibility, inclusivity, interface design, bibliometric analysis, learners with disabilities

Abstract

While virtual reality (VR) has shown transformative potential in education, its accessibility and inclusivity for learners with disabilities remain insufficiently explored. This study offers the first bibliometric mapping of educational VR interface design for inclusivity, analysing 4,735 documents from 1,714 sources (2020-2025) using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The analysis reveals a 13.22% annual publication growth rate, an average of 10 citations per document, and an international co-authorship rate of 25.85%, reflecting both rapid expansion and increasing collaboration. Dominant research themes include user experience, usability, and the metaverse, while underexplored areas such as cognitive accessibility and neurodiverse learners highlight emerging opportunities. The findings demonstrate a concentration of scholarly activity in North America and Asia, with limited representation from the Global South. Practically, the study informs developers on designing adaptive interfaces, guides educators in implementing inclusive VR pedagogies, and provides policymakers with evidence for promoting equitable digital learning ecosystems. By identifying trends, gaps, and collaboration patterns, this research advances the discourse on inclusive educational VR and underscores the need for interdisciplinary, AI-driven accessibility strategies that ensure equitable participation for all learners.

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Published
2025-09-30
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How to Cite
Maguraushe, K., Masimba, F., & Chimbo, B. (2025). Advancing Inclusive Educational VR: A Bibliometric Study of Interface Design. Journal of Information Systems and Informatics, 7(3), 2978-3004. https://doi.org/10.51519/journalisi.v7i3.1271
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