Morphological Changes in VR for Learning
Our work explores how changing the learners’ perceived bodies in Virtual Reality can expand the sensorimotor resources available for thinking and learning. If our cognitive processes are grounded in the body, what happens when the body itself changes? We investigate how new perceived action possibilities, enabled through changed avatar morphologies, can help learners understand mathematical concepts that are difficult to map to human bodies.
Project 1 : Semantic Avatars: Morphological Changes in VR for Learning Mathematics
Keywords:
Morphological changes, embodied cognition, homuncular flexibility, virtual reality, semantic avatars, avatar embodiment, mathematical concepts, movement-concept mapping
Introduction
This project builds on the concept of Semantic Avatars, introduced by Dr. Julia Chatain, which refers to virtual bodies deliberately designed so that their morphology maps to learning concepts. Instead of visualizing mathematical ideas externally, learners embody the concept directly through avatar-induced movements and action possibilities.
We designed three semantic avatars, each provoking new motor possibilities that align with a mathematical structure. A qualitative user study examined how people adopt, use and make sense of these new bodies.
Research Questions
- What key design elements should be considered when creating effective morphological learning avatars?
- How do users perceive and engage with the new action possibilities created by avatar morphologies?
Team
Maria Ioanna Magkouta, Rudolf Varga, Fraser Rothnie, Fabio Zünd, Manu Kapur, Julia Chatain
State of the Project & Publications
Our manuscript is in the process of submission
Project 2 : Learning Intervention: Testing the Learning Value of Semantic Avatars
Keywords:
Learning Intervention, Embodied Learning, Semantic Avatars, Morphological Change, Concept–Movement Mapping, Conceptual Understanding
Introduction
Building on the outcomes of Project 1, we are developing a controlled learning intervention that embeds one of the tested semantic avatars into a structured instructional design. The goal is to examine whether the new action possibilities afforded by morphological change lead to measurable learning gains.
Research Question
Do learners using a morphologically changed avatar achieve greater learning gains than learners without morphological change?
Team
Maria Ioanna Magkouta, Rudolf Varga, Manu Kapur, Julia Chatain
State of the Project & Publications
The intervention is currently under development.