THE CONTRIBUTION OF FOOD LITERACY EDUCATION SUPPORTED BY IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32955/neuje.v8i1.1203Keywords:
food Literacy, social sustainability, virtual reality, augmented reality, educational technologiesAbstract
This paper explores how food literacy education delivered through immersive technologies contributes to social sustainability in education. Food literacy is a critical competency that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It includes the ability to access accurate information, make informed and healthy food choices, and act with environmental and social responsibility. With the integration of digital technologies into educational processes, innovative approaches in food literacy education have gained prominence. Among these, immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) stand out for their ability to promote active engagement, enhance learning motivation, and support long-term knowledge retention.
The use of these technologies in educational settings not only fosters digital literacy but also advances sustainable development goals, including social equity and environmental awareness. This study presents a literature review of academic publications from major databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on the effects of immersive technologies on food literacy education. Although the existing body of research is limited, most studies examine the impact of AR/VR-based applications across diverse educational and literacy levels. Notable implementations include label reading simulations, virtual shopping environments, augmented content interaction, and gamified learning scenarios. Findings suggest that gamified immersive applications, in particular, significantly enhance learner motivation, improve knowledge retention, and effectively increase food literacy levels. However, the limited number of studies and the short-term focus of most current research highlight the need for further investigation. Future studies should evaluate the long-term effects of immersive food literacy education, consider diverse socio-demographic groups, and explore the integration of such technologies into educational policy.
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