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Article | Evaluating learning with tangible and virtual representations of archeological artifacts | Christine POLLALIS, Elizabeth Joanna MINOR, Lauren WESTENDORF, Whitney GAHNBULLEH | 2018

Jill Decrop Ernst

05 May, 2024

This article compares the learning outcome of students interacting with ancient Egyptian sculptures using HoloLens Augmented Reality (AR) headset, 3 dimensional (3D) model viewing website (Sketchfab), and plastic extrusions 3D prints, as they offer unique opportunities to enhance teaching with objects practices.

By comparing and contrasting the use, potential, and challenges of AR, Sketchfab and 3D prints, Pollalis et al help readers consider the tools presented and their use for their teaching with objects practices. 

I also found this article especially striking, as rather than focusing on educators’ perspective, it expands and reflects on students’ experiences with these technologies and how they affect their interactions with objects. This is especially important as teaching with objects is a student-centered approach and overall, literature on object-based teaching and learning (OBTL) has a tendency on focusing on educators’ experiences.

Link to source: 

Pollalis, C., Minor, E. J., Westendorf, L., Fahnbulleh, W., Virgilio, I., Kun, A. L., & Shaer, O. (2018, March). Evaluating learning with tangible and virtual representations of archaeological artifacts. In Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (pp. 626-637). 

Related sources:

Pollalis, C., Fahnbulleh, W., Tynes, J., & Shaer, O. (2017). HoloMuse: Enhancing Engagement with Archaeological Artifacts through Gesture-Based Interaction with Holograms. Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction.

Smith DP. (2016). Active learning in the lecture theater using 3D printed objects [version 2; referees: 2 approved]. F1000Research 5:61

Hess, M. et al. (2019). Digital Technologies in Heritage Conservation. Methods of Teaching and Learning This M.Sc. Degree, Unique in Germany. In: Luigini, A. (eds) Proceedings of the 1st International and Interdisciplinary Conference on Digital Environments for Education, Arts and Heritage. EARTH 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 919. Springer, Cham.

Hess, M., Garside, D., Nelson, T., Robson, S., & Weyrich, T. (2017, August). Object-based teaching and learning for a critical assessment of digital technologies in arts and cultural heritage. In International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (ISPRS) (Vol. 42, pp. 349-354). International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).

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