Augmented Reality in Art History Education: Exploring Student Engagement and Academic Outcomes

In this study, AR interfaces showcasing five distinct pieces of art were developed. Users are equipped with AR scanning tools to delve deeper into these artworks, inclusive of three-dimensional models. Through small-scale, informal testing of AR within an art educational context, it was observed that the interface facilitated ease of navigation, allowing users to independently explore, magnify, and engage with the art pieces. Based on existing literature, this study hypothesizes that immersive learning environments can increase user engagement and promote better knowledge retention. However, this research also recognizes potential challenges, arguing that while the integration of AR technology in traditional education provides new teaching strategies and experiences for art history education, one still needs to balance the use of technology in education and further refine and validate AR tools to achieve optimal educational outcomes.