DEVELOPMENT OF A VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM TO PROMOTE INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
| Title | DEVELOPMENT OF A VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM TO PROMOTE INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2026 |
| Authors | Tarng, W, Chen, Y-R |
| Journal | Journal of Baltic Science Education |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Start Page | 382-408 |
| Pagination | Continuous |
| Date Published | April/2026 |
| Type of Article | Research article |
| ISSN | 1648-3898 |
| Other Numbers | E-2538-7138 |
| Keywords | digital divide, ecological preservation, Indigenous cultural heritage, sustainable development, virtual reality |
| Abstract | This study examined how a VR360 learning system integrating Tao Indigenous culture and the ecological environment of Orchid Island, Taiwan, influences students’ learning achievement, learning motivation, cognitive load, and technology acceptance. The study aimed to determine whether such culturally grounded VR learning experiences can support educational equity and foster deeper cultural understanding. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design was employed to compare Indigenous and non-Indigenous elementary students who both received the VR intervention. Data were collected using validated instruments, including a learning achievement test, a motivation scale, a cognitive load scale, and a technology acceptance questionnaire. The participants comprised 64 students from grades three to six in northern Taiwan (33 Indigenous and 31 non-Indigenous). Both groups demonstrated significant gains in learning achievement following the intervention, with the non-Indigenous group achieving higher scores. Indigenous students reported higher, though not statistically significant, motivation to learn about the Tao cultural heritage and experienced slightly higher cognitive load during the learning process. Both groups expressed high acceptance of the VR360 system. These findings highlight the potential of VR as an effective and culturally responsive educational tool that supports immersive learning and promotes educational equity, offering valuable insights for the design of localized and multicultural learning experiences. |
| URL | https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/article?articleId=4863032 |
| DOI | 10.33225/jbse/26.25.382 |
| Refereed Designation | Refereed |
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