The value of athletics class with the use of virtual reality games for better communication and socialization of students

This study aimed to determine the importance of socialization through sports as exemplified by athletics using interactive technologies for better socialization of students. The Small Group Socialization Scale (SGSS) was utilized for the measurement of socialization. The researchers conducted the study based on the Physical Education Department Department, [Tangshan Normal University University. One hundred 1st year students and three physical education instructors of the university took part in the study. The age of the participants was 18–20, 50% females and 50% males. The researchers divided the participants into 2 groups: experimental and control. Each of them consisted of 50 people: 25 males and 25 females. To improve socialization and evaluate the impact of innovative technologies on this process, the experimental group attended physical education classes and had additional physical education classes using virtual games. The control group attended traditional physical education classes. The results demonstrated that 25% of the control group (CG) did not want to play sports in a team, while 88% of the experimental group (EG) wanted to communicate and engage with other children in a team. Students in the experimental group, who engaged in the educational process with the involvement of virtual gaming, displayed a preference for teamwork, facilitated interpersonal communication amongst themselves, and rapidly acclimated to group dynamics. According to gender indicators, the results showed slight gender differences in the levels of socialization among male and female students. According to the results of the T-tests, the males reported higher scores in collective involvement and satisfaction with communication in a team. In the prospects of further research, there lies the development of practical recommendations regarding socialization through sports involving VR methods, which will be effectively manifested in interpersonal interactions in one’s future life.