Walking into a Modern Painting: The Impacts of Using Virtual Reality on Student Learning Performance and Experiences in Art Appreciation

Abstract

This study reconstructed a modern painting into a fully-immersive Virtual Reality (VR) painting allowing users to walk into the painting’s 3D world and move around, and employed constructivism with a model of art appreciation to investigate the effects of applying VR techniques in appreciating the modern painting on student learning outcomes. Participants in the study included 60 undergraduates from a university in the midwestern United States. Quasi-experimental study designs and quantitative analysis methods were adopted to analyze students’ responses to the activities of modern painting appreciation through 2D and VR paintings. Results indicated that using the VR painting had significant negative impacts on students’ performance of object recognition in the painting and interpretations towards the painting, but no effects on the painting analysis and judgements. Students using the VR painting showed significantly higher interest and enjoyment than those using the 2D painting. Compared to those viewing the VR painting prior to the 2D painting appreciation, students who only viewed the 2D painting had significantly better learning performance. This study contributes to the lack of empirical VR research in art appreciation, offering insights into the application of using VR in appreciating modern paintings, and providing recommendations for future studies.

Keywords:

• Virtual reality
• art appreciation
• performance
• motivation
• 2D and 3D paintings

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data or material used during the current study are not publicly available due to the privacy policy.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yu-Tung Kuo

Yu-Tung Kuo is an Assistant Professor of Computer Graphics Technology at North Carolina A&T State University. Her research focuses on application of emerging technologies in learning and teaching. Her research interests include immersive technology (VR/AR/MR), game design and development, human-computer interaction, and user experience.

Esteban Garcia Bravo

Esteban Garcia Bravo is an Associate professor of Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University. He is a Colombian-American visual artist. He researches computer art history and digital media art practices. His work involves unique ways of creating highly attractive public audiovisual sculptures embed animations, video projections, and Virtual Reality.

David M. Whittinghill

David M. Whittinghill is an Associate Professor of Computer Graphics Technology and Computer and Information Technology at Purdue University. Dr. Whittinghill’ s research focuses on gaming, virtual reality, simulation and computer programming education and how these technologies can more effectively address outstanding issues in education, health, and society at large.

Yu-Chun Kuo

Yu-Chun Kuo is an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at Rowan University. Her research focuses on how the use of emerging technologies enhances student learning experiences and outcomes in different contexts. Her research interests include technology integration into instruction, mobile learning, game-based learning, OER, online learning, and virtual reality.