Evaluating Low Embodiment Multi-User Virtual Reality Learning Environments in Remote Art Education

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown forced education to make a shift to Emergency Remote Learning (ERL) model, raising multiple issues, such as the higher level of distraction, absence, and scheduling difficulty. To improve the level of student engagement, a low condiment Multi-User Virtual Reality Learning Environment (MUVRLE) with high accessibility was built and assessed to evaluate its usability and effectiveness. A low embodiment MUVRLE was used for maximal accessibility and was compared with the traditional remote learning environment. 100 college students were invited to the experiment. A MUVRLE system based on Mozilla Hubs was designed to create a multi-user virtual classroom based on a course of 19th art history. Students participated in 2 questionnaire studies after they finished the experiment. The evaluation of System Usability Scale (SUS) was conducted in comparing the actual system usability of the MUVRLE model and traditional remote model. The outcome suggested that low embodiment MUVRLE learners had a better performance. Additionally, the low embodiment MUVRLE model had better usability than traditional remote learning in art education.