A Virtual Tour of a Hardly Accessible Archaeological Site: The Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality on User Experience, Learning and Attitude Change

Frontiers in Computer Science

Andri Ioannou¹  Domna Banakou²  Christos Kyrlitsias⁴  Despina Michael-Grigoriou⁴  Maria Christofi⁴ 

[1] CIL Lab, Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus;Event Lab, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;GET Lab, Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus;Research Centre on Interactive Media Smart Systems and Emerging Technologies - RISE Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus;

关键词: virtual reality;    cultural heritage;    immersion;    learning;    user experience;    attitude change;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcomp.2020.00023

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Some archaeological sites are not easily accessible by visitors due to mobility or geographical restrictions. Digital technology can make such sites virtually accessible and provide educational information at the same time. Toward this goal, we created a digital reconstruction of the archaeological site of Choirokoitia. Given that a 3D digital reconstruction can be used along with different technologies, we designed and developed an interactive application, where users can navigate and get information about the site, for two different systems: Virtual Reality (VR) systems and desktop computers. A feasibility study was conducted where we compared aspects of the two systems so as to allow the suggestion of the proper technology to utilize according to a user's aims. The results showed higher levels of presence and more positive experience by the participants who used the VR system compared to those who used the desktop version. On the other hand, greater learning gains were demonstrated in participants who used the desktop version compared to those who used the VR version. No differences were shown between the two groups regarding the participants' change of attitudes toward the archaeology of Cyprus.

【 授权许可】

Unknown