Systematic Review of Nonverbal Communication in Virtual Reality Environments: Potentials for Inclusive Education

Abstract

Nonverbal communication (NVC) is critical for fostering inclusive and collaborative learning environments, particularly in the context of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) settings. By using tracking technologies, VR enables embodied interaction, offering users opportunities for expressive and multimodal peer communication. This systematic review explores the potential of NVC in multi-user VR environments (MUVEs) for inclusive education, addressing two key research questions: (1) What is the current state and benefit of NVC in peer interaction within MUVEs? (2) How can inclusion-focused design guidelines for VR learning be expanded based on that?

The review synthesized findings from 23 papers, identifying a significant research gap in educational applications of NVC in VR. However, insights from non-educational contexts highlight the potential of avatars, gestures, facial expressions, and spatial interactions in fostering social presence, improving collaboration, and enabling diverse communication styles. The results underscore the role of NVC in enhancing emotional expression, mutual understanding, and creative problem-solving, while also offering tools for students with diverse communicative preferences.

Drawing on these findings, the review proposes expanded design guidelines for inclusive VR learning environments. These include options for customizable avatars, adaptive tracking of NVC features, and augmented nonverbal expressions such as emojis or gesture amplifications. Additionally, VR's unique capabilities to manipulate perspectives are highlighted for enhancing engagement and cooperation.

This review highlights the transformative potential of NVC in VR to approximate face-to-face interaction, promote diversity, and scaffold inclusive education. It concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for more empirical research on NVC in VR-based educational contexts and suggests pathways for future studies and application development to address these gaps.