Effects of virtual reality technology on primary school students’ creativity performance, learning engagement and mental flow

Background: In primary school art education, it is crucial to foster innovative thinking, encourage hands-on creativity, and nurture an awareness of fundamental artistic aesthetics. Thus, the curriculum should emphasize art literacy development, and it should be supplemented with practical activities and promote humanistic values. Objectives: This research aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of integrating Virtual reality (VR) technology into art education. A multisession teaching experiment was conducted using VR, with designated experimental and control groups. Methods: The study’s methodology based on experimental research and used a series of teaching comparison practice between experimental and control groups focused on incorporating VR into teaching and subsequently analyzing learning outcomes and flow state dimensions to refine the pedagogical approach. Results: The findings revealed a high acceptance rate of VR among students, with notable proficiency demonstrated in software platform operation. Furthermore, VR technology considerably enhanced classroom teaching efficacy, particularly in terms of conveying intricate details that are often overlooked in traditional teaching. Notably, there was a marked improvement in learners’ creativity in pottery work when they were taught using VR. Conclusion: In conclusion, technology, especially VR, significantly enriches classroom instruction in the art classroom, facilitating a deeper understanding of the content, improve creativity, student learning engagement and promoting a more comprehensive grasp of the core teaching elements.