Analyzing the Effects of a 3D Online Virtual Museum in Visitors' Discourse, Attitudes, Preferences, and Knowledge Acquisition

This chapter presents the results of a study conducted in Mexico in 2011 with a group of undergraduate students. It examines the effectiveness of an online three-dimensional learning environment and its effects in visitors' discourse, attitudes, preferences, and knowledge acquisition during and after a real museum visit. Primary results show that: a) participants who used the virtual museum previous to the museum visit showed an increase in discourse, enjoyment, and knowledge about the exhibition, and b) using a three dimensional previsualization can enhance and influence the learning experience in educational settings in a positive way.