{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T17:13:55Z","timestamp":1786122835163,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786060800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:p>Conceptual learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) often involves phenomena that are abstract, dynamic, and not directly observable. Instruction in many STEM classrooms continues to rely predominantly on visual representations and spoken explanations, which may limit opportunities for learners to engage with scientific concepts through multiple sensory pathways. Within this perspective, tactile and haptic interaction offers an alternative sensory pathway through which learners can explore scientific phenomena through direct sensorimotor experiences. This scoping review examines how tactile and haptic learning approaches are implemented in STEM education and how these interventions translate physical phenomena into perceptible sensory experiences that support conceptual understanding, embodied interaction, and active engagement across diverse educational contexts. Following Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines, literature published between January 1, 2015 and December 15, 2025 was systematically identified, screened, and synthesized from five major databases. To strengthen the comprehensiveness of the review and broaden coverage of relevant studies published in mainstream STEM education journals, supplementary targeted searches were conducted during the revision process while maintaining the original review timeframe and eligibility criteria. A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing tactile models, vibrotactile systems, embodied simulations, and force-feedback interfaces implemented across diverse educational settings. Across the reviewed studies, tactile and haptic interaction supported conceptual access to abstract phenomena, procedural engagement, active participation, and multisensory meaning-making in STEM learning. Synthesizing patterns across the included studies, this review proposes the Tactile and Haptic Interaction (THIn) conceptual model, which explains how physical phenomena are translated into sensory interaction mechanisms and pedagogical processes that support conceptual learning through embodied cognitive experiences. The findings clarify how tactile interaction functions as a sensory\u2013cognitive pathway connecting perception, embodied action, and conceptual reasoning in multisensory STEM learning environments while situating these insights within a broader body of STEM education literature.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1840215","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T12:37:46Z","timestamp":1786106266000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Tactile and haptic interaction in STEM learning: a scoping review of embodied and multisensory pathways for conceptual learning processes"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Ricio Milo","family":"Salibay","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Science Department, Cebu Technological University","place":["Cebu, Philippines"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mae E.","family":"Entice","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Needs Department, Cebu Technological University","place":["Cebu, Philippines"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mary Jane Q.","family":"Paraiso","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Needs Department, Cebu Technological University","place":["Cebu, Philippines"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vincent Gee A.","family":"Tampus","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Technology and Livelihood Department, Cebu Technological University","place":["Cebu, Philippines"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joseph Vergil M.","family":"Espina","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Technology and Livelihood Department, Cebu Technological University","place":["Cebu, Philippines"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"suffix":"Jr.","given":"Achilles I.","family":"Cabaron","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Technology and Livelihood Department, Cebu Technological University","place":["Cebu, Philippines"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cherenlie G.","family":"Apas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Special Needs Department, Cebu Technological University","place":["Cebu, Philippines"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1109\/ISCI62787.2024.10668307","article-title":"\u201cTechnology usage for education: polytechnic deaf or hard-of-hearing student,\u201d","author":"Abdul Rahim","year":"2024","journal-title":"2024 IEEE 6th Symposium on Computers and Informatics (ISCI)"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/0047231X.2026.2628023","article-title":"Equity in college STEM education: advancing accessible science teaching for students with hearing impairments","volume":"55","author":"Adeduyigbe","year":"2026","journal-title":"J Coll. Sci. Teach."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6760","DOI":"10.1080\/09638288.2025.2543941","article-title":"Characteristics of interventions for siblings of children and youth with disabilities and chronic conditions: a scoping review","volume":"47","author":"Al-Hakeem","year":"2025","journal-title":"Disabil. Rehabil."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"116","DOI":"10.34293\/sijash.v11iS1i2-Nov.7329","article-title":"Promoting inclusive education for sustainable development: a comprehensive research perspective","volume":"11","author":"Ambika","year":"2023","journal-title":"Shanlax Int. J. Arts Sci. Humanit."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1145\/3663548.3675639","article-title":"\u201cSoundHapticVR: head-based spatial haptic feedback for accessible sounds in virtual reality for deaf and hard-of-hearing users,\u201d","author":"Chelladurai","year":"2024","journal-title":"Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS'2"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1007\/s10209-018-0630-8","article-title":"Technology support for the inclusion of deaf students in mainstream schools: a summary of research from 2007 to 2017","volume":"19","author":"Constantinou","year":"2020","journal-title":"Univ. Access Inf. Soc."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101856","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jormas.2024.101856","article-title":"Haptic devices as an educational approach for oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures","volume":"125","author":"Correia Lima","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Stomatol. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6245","DOI":"10.3390\/app11146245","article-title":"Designing pedagogically effective haptic systems for learning: a review","volume":"11","author":"Crandall","year":"2021","journal-title":"Appl. Sci."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0164511","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0164511","article-title":"Robot-assisted proprioceptive training with added vibro-tactile feedback enhances somatosensory and motor performance","volume":"11","author":"Cuppone","year":"2016","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"222","DOI":"10.30574\/wjbphs.2023.14.3.0273","article-title":"ICTs in education for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners","volume":"14","author":"David","year":"2023","journal-title":"World J. Biol. Pharm. Health Sci."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1104","DOI":"10.3390\/bs15081104","article-title":"A scoping review of literacy interventions using signed languages for school-age deaf students","volume":"15","author":"Dostal","year":"2025","journal-title":"Behav. Sci."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"578389","DOI":"10.3389\/feduc.2020.578389","article-title":"Assistive technology to promote communication and social interaction for people with deafblindness: a systematic review","volume":"5","author":"Dyzel","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Educ."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3711931","DOI":"10.1145\/3711931","article-title":"How can haptic feedback assist people with blind and low vision (BLV): a systematic literature review","volume":"18","author":"Jiang","year":"2025","journal-title":"ACM Trans. Access. Comput."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1047833","DOI":"10.3389\/frvir.2023.1047833","article-title":"Embodied mixed reality with passive haptics in STEM education: randomized control study with chemistry titration","volume":"4","author":"Johnson-Glenberg","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Virtual Real."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-20074-3_6","article-title":"\u201cThe efficacy of visuohaptic simulations in teaching concepts of thermal energy, pressure, and random motion,\u201d","author":"Jones","year":"2016","journal-title":"Insights from Research in Science Teaching and Learning. Contributions from Science Education Research"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1112","DOI":"10.1002\/sce.20163","article-title":"Visualizing and feeling the microscopic world: Tactile and haptic technologies in science education","volume":"90","author":"Jones","year":"","journal-title":"Sci. Educ."},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1002\/sce.20086","article-title":"Haptic augmentation of science instruction: does touch matter?","volume":"90","author":"Jones","year":"","journal-title":"Sci. Educ."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"012120","DOI":"10.1088\/1742-6596\/1511\/1\/012120","article-title":"Strategic study of visual, auditory, haptic information processing and identification of physics learning materials that require VAH-based learning media facilities","volume":"1511","author":"Kristiyanto","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Phys. Conf. Ser."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.3389\/frvir.2020.00003","article-title":"Haptic training simulation","volume":"1","author":"Lelev\u00e9","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Virtual Real"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1186\/1748-5908-5-69","article-title":"Scoping studies: advancing the methodology","volume":"5","author":"Levac","year":"2010","journal-title":"Implement. Sci."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"174","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compedu.2016.01.001","article-title":"Enhancing learning and engagement through embodied interaction within a mixed reality simulation","volume":"95","author":"Lindgren","year":"2016","journal-title":"Comput. Educ."},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1145\/3015783.3015788","article-title":"\u201cMultisensory haptic interactions: understanding the sense and designing for it,\u201d","author":"MacLean","year":"2017","journal-title":"The Handbook of Multimodal\u2013Multisensor Interfaces: Foundations, User Modeling, and Common Modality Combinations. Volume 1 eds. S. Oviatt, B. Schuller, P. R. Cohen, D. Sonntag, G. Potamianos, and A. Kr\u00fcger"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"350","DOI":"10.1111\/jcal.12198","article-title":"Unpacking students' conceptualizations through haptic feedback","volume":"33","author":"Maga\u00f1a","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Comput. Assist. Learn."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"403","DOI":"10.1093\/deafed\/enw050","article-title":"Adapting experiential learning to develop problem-solving skills in Deaf and hard-of-hearing engineering students","volume":"21","author":"Marshall","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Deaf Stud. Deaf Educ."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"126","DOI":"10.1109\/HAPTICS.2016.7463166","article-title":"\u201c3-D printed haptic devices for educational applications,\u201d","author":"Martinez","year":"2016","journal-title":"2016 IEEE Haptics Symposium (HAPTICS)"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"96","DOI":"10.61978\/eduscape.v3i2.933","article-title":"Inclusive education in the 21st century: challenges, strategies, and innovations","volume":"3","author":"Marwah","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eduscape: J. Educ. Insight"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.14448\/jsesd.12.0009","article-title":"Supplemental online learning tools (SOLTs) to support deaf and hard of hearing students in introductory statistics courses","volume":"23","author":"McClive","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Sci. Educ. Students Disabil."},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-42324-1_42","article-title":"\u201cHandsOn: enabling embodied, creative STEM e-learning with programming-free force feedback\u201d","author":"Minaker","year":"2016","journal-title":"Haptics: Perception, Devices, Control, and Applications. EuroHaptics 2016."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.3102\/00346543076003317","article-title":"Haptics in education: exploring an untapped sensory modality","volume":"76","author":"Minogue","year":"2006","journal-title":"Rev. Educ. Res."},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2084","DOI":"10.1109\/TVCG.2020.2973441","article-title":"EarVR: using ear haptics in virtual reality for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people","volume":"26","author":"Mirzaei","year":"2020","journal-title":"IEEE Trans. Vis. Comput. Graph."},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70009","DOI":"10.1002\/cae.70009","article-title":"Haptic technology interaction framework in engineering learning: a taxonomical conceptualization","volume":"33","author":"Mutis","year":"2025","journal-title":"Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1109\/FIE.2018.8658439","article-title":"\u201cVisuo-haptic simulations to improve students' understanding of friction concepts,\u201d","author":"Neri","year":"2018","journal-title":"2018 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (San Jose, CA: IEEE)"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"345","DOI":"10.1002\/j.2168-9830.2002.tb00713.x","article-title":"Using a force-feedback joystick to teach dynamic systems","volume":"91","author":"Okamura","year":"2002","journal-title":"J. Eng. Educ."},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"384","DOI":"10.1080\/14675986.2025.2480507","article-title":"Mapping trends and demographics in research on intersectional education and pedagogy: a scoping review (2020\u20132024)","volume":"36","author":"Pham Xuan","year":"2025","journal-title":"Intercult. Educ."},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"371","DOI":"10.1002\/jrsm.1123","article-title":"A scoping review of scoping reviews: advancing the approach and enhancing the consistency","volume":"5","author":"Pham","year":"2014","journal-title":"Res. Synth. Methods"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1115\/IMECE1997-0390","article-title":"\u201cGetting a feel for dynamics: using haptic interface kits for teaching dynamics and controls,\u201d","author":"Richard","year":"1997","journal-title":"ASME IMECE 6th Annual Symposium on Haptic Interfaces"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1593060","DOI":"10.3389\/feduc.2025.1593060","article-title":"Education for sustainable development and inclusive education with particular consideration of learners with special needs: a scoping literature review","volume":"10","author":"Ron\u010devi\u0107","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Educ."},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.14448\/jsesd.12.0005","article-title":"Use of scientific argumentation by Deaf\/Hard-of-Hearing students in environmental science topics","volume":"23","author":"Ross","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Sci. Educ. Students Disabil."},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1761262","DOI":"10.3389\/feduc.2026.1761262","article-title":"Development and mixed-methods evaluation of an instructional manual for sustainable physics learning in higher education","volume":"11","author":"Salibay","year":"2026","journal-title":"Front. Educ"},{"key":"B41","unstructured":"Investigating the impact of visuohaptic simulations for conceptual understanding in electricity and magnetism (Open Access Thesis), 122\n          \n          \n            \n              Sanchez Martinez\n              K. L.\n            \n          \n          Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN\n          \n          2013"},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-031-10525-8_10","article-title":"\u201cA multi-modal auditory\u2013visual\u2013tactile e-learning framework,\u201d","author":"Sanfilippo","year":"2022","journal-title":"Intelligent technologies and applications. INTAP 2021. Communications in Computer and Information Science"},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-15-1628-3_2","article-title":"\u201cInclusive pedagogy and universal design approaches for diverse learning environments,\u201d","author":"Sanger","year":"2020","journal-title":"Diversity and Inclusion in Global Higher Education"},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4686","DOI":"10.3390\/app12094686","article-title":"Touch, texture and haptic feedback: a review on how we feel the world around us","volume":"12","author":"See","year":"2022","journal-title":"Appl. Sci."},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1186\/s41239-017-0053-2","article-title":"Undergraduate students' conceptual interpretation and perceptions of haptic-enabled learning experiences","volume":"14","author":"Shaikh","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Technol. High. Educ."},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.17509\/jsl.v7i3.69046","article-title":"Enhancing quality education in Indonesia: a literature review of STEM\u2013ESD landscape contributions","volume":"7","author":"Sihombing","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Sci. Learn."},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"212","DOI":"10.61132\/sadewa.v2i2.817","article-title":"Analisis infrastruktur teknologi, pelatihan pengajar dan tantangan dalam implementasi model pembelajaran literasi digital untuk mendukung SDGs 2030","volume":"2","author":"Syifa","year":"2024","journal-title":"Jurnal Sadewa: Publikasi Ilmu Pendidikan, Pembelajaran dan Ilmu Sosial"},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4342","DOI":"10.3390\/su17104342","article-title":"Embedding social sustainability in education: a thematic review of practices and trends across educational pathways from a global perspective","volume":"17","author":"Tafese","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1353\/aad.2021.0026","article-title":"Beyond words\/signs: DHH learners' spatial reasoning in mathematics as embodied cognition","author":"Thom","year":"2021","journal-title":"Am. Ann. Deaf"},{"key":"B50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.7326\/M18-0850","article-title":"PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation","volume":"169","author":"Tricco","year":"2018","journal-title":"Ann. Intern. Med."},{"key":"B51","unstructured":"What you need to know about Education for Sustainable Development\n          \n          2025"},{"key":"B52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2991\/assehr.k.210618.063","article-title":"\u201cBlended learning model for deaf students on developing critical thinking in higher education,\u201d","author":"Utami","year":"2021","journal-title":"Proceedings of the 2nd Progress in Social Science, Humanities and Education Research Symposium (PSSHERS"},{"key":"B53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1659","DOI":"10.3390\/electronics12071659","article-title":"Learning statics through physical manipulative tools and visuohaptic simulations: the effect of visual and haptic feedback","volume":"12","author":"Walsh","year":"2023","journal-title":"Electronics"},{"key":"B54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"667","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compedu.2009.04.004","article-title":"Haptic feedback and students' learning about levers: unraveling the effect of simulated touch","volume":"53","author":"Wiebe","year":"2009","journal-title":"Comput. Educ."},{"key":"B55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.61132\/ijed.v1i1.122","article-title":"Bridging the educational gap: the role of digital learning platforms in developing countries","volume":"1","author":"Zaw","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Educ. Dev."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1840215\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T12:37:47Z","timestamp":1786106267000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1840215\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]]},"references-count":55,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1840215"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1840215","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]]},"article-number":"1840215"}}