Enhancing Cultural Learning Through Virtual Reality: A Case Study of the ‘Ain Ghazal Statues

Aim/Purpose: This study aims to determine whether a task-based virtual reality (VR) experience can significantly enhance users’ factual understanding and cultural appreciation of a lesser-known archaeological site. The purpose is to evaluate how an interactive reconstruction task impacts perceived educational value and emotional engagement in a cultural heritage context. Background: Many virtual reality experiences in cultural heritage are limited to passive tours, failing to leverage the technology’s full potential for interactive learning. Grounded in embodied cognition theory, this study posits that active, hands-on participation is crucial for deeper learning. We explore this using the Neolithic statues of ‘Ain Ghazal as a case study, addressing the need for more engaging educational models for lesser-known heritage. Methodology: A task-based VR application simulating the statue-building process was developed. A mixed-methods approach was used, with 272 participants completing pre-tests and post-tests and a survey, and a subset of 41 participants being interviewed. Quantitative analysis included Wilcoxon tests and correlations, while qualitative analysis identified key user experience themes. Contribution: This study’s key contribution is a novel, task-based approach to immersive learning in cultural heritage. It highlights the educational effectiveness of VR in both cognitive (factual learning) and affective (cultural appreciation) domains, offering evidence-based design considerations for future heritage-focused VR applications. Findings: The task-based VR experience led to a significant improvement in factual knowledge (Z = –12.498, p < .001). A strong, positive correlation was found between cultural appreciation and learning outcomes (r = 0.582, p < .001). Perceived authenticity was also a strong predictor of the experience’s educational effectiveness (r = 0.549, p < .001). Key interview themes included “Learning by Doing” and “Cultural Appreciation.” Recommendations for Practitioners: Museum professionals and educators should design interactive, task-based VR experiences that allow users to “learn by doing.” To maximize educational impact, practitioners must carefully balance archaeological authenticity with user-centered design, as this balance directly fosters both factual understanding and cultural appreciation. Recommendation for Researchers: Further research should investigate how specific VR affordances, such as interactivity, embodiment, and sensory fidelity, impact presence, knowledge retention, and cultural empathy across different heritage contexts. Impact on Society: By making underexplored heritage accessible and engaging, task-based VR can strengthen cultural identity, support preservation efforts, and create new, meaningful opportunities for museums and tourism. Future Research: Future studies should examine long-term knowledge retention from task-based VR, explore the role of creative freedom within these experiences, and assess their impact on diverse global audiences.