DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL FOR VIRTUAL REALITY BASED TEACHING FOR ART HISTORY COURSE

Art history classes can be challenging for students without an art history background. Recognizing these challenges is the first step to finding practical solutions. The integration of innovative digital technologies into art history classes is a creative way to discover novel delivery methods and could also help motivate students and enhance their learning. Virtual Reality (VR) visualizes abstract concepts and theories and allows students to virtually visit historical sites with a sense of presence. Research is focused on creating educational material with two different VR approaches, 3D animation, textual information, and photos for an undergraduate level Art History course on the Süleymaniye Mosque in Ottoman Religious Architecture. VR-integrated course material development needs well-designed multidisciplinary collaboration. A collective effort was needed to determine the competencies and digital technology-based delivery methods by experts in art history, architectural history, educational sciences, and graphic design disciplines. The educational material includes VR-based (6DOF) walk-through software and Quicktime VR-based (3DOF) panoramic photos, 3D animated narratives, and textual-photographic information about the building. Once materials were developed, they were demonstrated to a small group of teachers, research assistants and students in a VR technology-equipped classroom. The feedback from the participants showed that the instructional material was qualified to positively affect the students' level of interest, learning, and retention. This innovative approach has significant educational potential, however its realisation depends on tight collaboration between course teachers, educational specialists, designers and IT specialists, which is not always easy to access.