3D Heritage Artefacts in Education—Enhancing Attractiveness of Computer Graphics Curriculum
Source abstract
Abstract
Lublin University of Technology has been offering computer science studies for over 25 years. From the beginning, computer graphics have played a crucial role in the studies program. The Lab3D international efforts aimed at cultural heritage 3D digitization allowed for enriching the regular introductory course of computer graphics with elements of digitized real-life heritage, without disturbing the regular didactic process, nor the scope of the course learning outcomes. Such an activity was aimed at increasing the students’ engagement in learning and fits into the contemporary trend of including real-life cases in the course of teaching. The article presents the curriculum (including the changes introduced) together with an extensive analysis of the effect of such changes on students’ achievements. In total, 3042 grades of 1522 students from the years 2018–2024 underwent statistical analysis in order to support answering placed hypotheses related to keeping the effects positive or neutral. Luckily, students’ achievements did not worsen, and in fact significantly improved. To the authors’ knowledge, such an analysis in relation to computer graphics courses has never been published before.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Augmented Reality Applications · Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts · 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 36B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Szpitalna 37, 15-295 Białystok, Poland
References (47)
Show source-provided references
1. Tokovarov, M., Szymczyk, T., Kęsik, J., Żyła, K., and Pańczyk, M. (2021, January 8–9). A Video-Streaming-Assisted Approach to Conducting Database Remote Classes during COVID-19 Pandemic. Proceedings of the INTED2021 Proceedings, 15th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Online.10.21125/inted.2021.1391 ↗
2. Cymer, E., Matczuk, M., Szymczyk, T., and Kisała, P. (2025, January 3–5). Involving Students in Research as a Way to Modernise Education at Technical Universities. Proceedings of the INTED2025 Proceedings, 19th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, Spain.
3. Virtual Scientific Expedition for 3D Scanning of Museum Artifacts in the COVID-19 Period—The Methodology and Case Study
4. Kęsik, J., and Żyła, K. (2021, January 8–9). Extending Computer Graphics Curriculum by Cultural Heritage-Related Aspects—Silk Road Artifacts Case Study. Proceedings of the INTED2021 Proceedings 2021, 15th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Online.
5. Architectural Jewels of Lublin: A Modern Computerized Board Game in Cultural Heritage Education10.1145/3446978 ↗
6. (2025, June 10). Laboratorium Programowania Systemów Inteligentnych i Komputerowych Technologii 3D (Lab 3D)—Katedra Informatyki. Politechnika Lubelska. Available online: https://cs.pollub.pl/lab-3d/?lang=en.
7. Determination of Ceramic Tile Colour Surface Areas on the Medieval Sher-Dor Madrasah Mosaic in Samarkand—Problems and Solutions
8. 3D Scanning and Modeling of Highly Detailed and Geometrically Complex Historical Architectural Objects: The Example of the Juma Mosque in Khiva (Uzbekistan)10.1186/s40494-024-01207-3 ↗
9. (2025, June 10). 3D Digital Silk Road—The Portal Was Created by Department of Computer Science of Lublin University of Technology in Poland. Available online: https://silkroad3d.com.
10. Towards an Easy-to-Implement Method of Obtaining 3D Models of Historical Wooden Churches Using a Combination of Modern Techniques10.46284/mkd.2025.13.1.6 ↗
11. (2025, June 10). Wooden Monuments of the Carpathians in 3D—The Portal Was Created by Department of Computer Science of Lublin University of Technology in Poland. Available online: https://carpatia3d.com/en/.
12. (2025, June 10). Polish Heritage 3D—The Portal Was Created by Department of Computer Science of Lublin University of Technology in Poland. Available online: https://polishheritage3d.eu.
13. Choi, J.-I., and Yang, S. (2025). Effectiveness and Design of PBL-Based Project Approach for Non-Major University Computing Courses. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15010050 ↗
14. Computer Graphics Education in Different Curricula: Analysis and Proposal for Courses10.1016/j.cag.2004.12.011 ↗
15. Cunningham, S. (2007, January 25). A Computer Graphics Curriculum to Meet the European Bologna Requirements. Proceedings of the 12th Annual SIGCSE Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Dundee, UK.10.1145/1268784.1268876 ↗
16. Balreira, D.G., Walter, M., and Fellner, D.W. (2017, January 24–28). What We Are Teaching in Introduction to Computer Graphics. Proceedings of the EG 2017—Education Papers, Lyon, France.
17. Experimental Methods of Teaching Computer Graphics and Design: Impact on the Creative Potential of Higher Education Students
18. Zhang, X., Zeng, H., Zhang, F., Xie, H., Ma, T., Sun, X., and Zhao, Y. (2024, January 18). Integrating Technology and Art in Computer Graphics Course within the Frame of New Engineering Disciplines. Proceedings of the 2024 16th International Conference on Education Technology and Computers, Porto, Portugal.10.1145/3702163.3702442 ↗
19. Teaching the Basics of Computer Graphics in Virtual Reality10.1016/j.cag.2023.03.001 ↗
20. Wang, Z., Liu, J., Alwi, A., and Liu, C. (2024, January 22). Virtual Reality for Enhancing Spatial Ability in Environmental Art Design Education. Proceedings of the 2024 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Education, Xiamen, China.10.1145/3722237.3722284 ↗
21. A Systematic Review of Immersive Virtual Reality Applications for Higher Education: Design Elements, Lessons Learned, and Research Agenda10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103778 ↗
22. Computer Graphics Teaching Challenges: Guidelines for Balancing Depth, Complexity and Mentoring in a Confinement Context10.1016/j.gvc.2021.200021 ↗
23. Remote Teaching Advanced Rendering Topics Using the Rayground Platform10.1109/MCG.2021.3093734 ↗
24. Anderson, E.F., Adzhiev, V., and Fryazinov, O. (2021;, January 4–6). Towards the Formal Teaching of CG Applications in Cultural Heritage for Computer Graphics and Animation Students. Proceedings of the GCH 2021—19th Eurographics Workshop on Graphics and Cultural Heritage, Bournemouth, UK.
25. Digital Technologies in Heritage Conservation. Methods of Teaching and Learning This M.Sc. Degree, Unique in Germany
26. Object-Based Teaching and Learning for a Critical Assessment of Digital Technologies in Arts and Cultural Heritage10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W5-349-2017 ↗
27. Bürgisser, B., Steiner, D., and Pajarola, R. (2017;, January 24–28). bRenderer: A Flexible Basis for a Modern Computer Graphics Curriculum. Proceedings of the EG 2017—Education Papers, Lyon, France.
28. Trenchev, I. (2021, January 8–9). Research of the Concepts in the Training in Computer Graphics. Proceedings of the 14th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Online Conference.
29. Kepczynska-Walczak, A., Walczak, B., and Zarzycki, A. (2024, January 22–26). The Use of Photogrammetry in Historic Preservation Curriculum: A Comparative Case Study. Proceedings of the Eurographics 2024—Education Papers, Limassol, Cyprus.
30. Augmented Reality in Teaching Descriptive Geometry, Engineering and Computer Graphics—Systematic Review and Results of the Russian Teachers’ Experience
31. Engineering and Computer Graphics for Effective Training in a Construction University10.1088/1757-899X/890/1/012173 ↗
32. Fine Arts Subjects at Computer Graphics Studies at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad
33. Denchev, S., Trenchev, I., Trencheva, T., and Garkinin, A. (2022, January 7–8). Computer Graphics Training at Sulsit—Current Trends. Proceedings of the 16th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Online Conference.10.21125/inted.2022.0296 ↗
34. Theodoropoulos, A., and Antoniou, A. (2022). VR Games in Cultural Heritage: A Systematic Review of the Emerging Fields of Virtual Reality and Culture Games. Appl. Sci., 12.10.3390/app12178476 ↗
35. Barrile, V., Bernardo, E., and Bilotta, G. (2022). An Experimental HBIM Processing: Innovative Tool for 3D Model Reconstruction of Morpho-Typological Phases for the Cultural Heritage. Remote Sens., 14.10.3390/rs14051288 ↗
36. da Education and Heritage: Memory, Identity and Educational Dynamics10.24857/rgsa.v18n8-038 ↗
37. Cultural Heritage in Social Studies Curriculum and Cultural Heritage Awareness of Middle School Students10.29329/ijpe.2021.332.16 ↗
38. Gómez-Carrasco, C.J., Miralles-Martinez, P., Fontal, O., and Ibañez-Etxeberria, A. (2020). Cultural Heritage and Methodological Approaches—An Analysis through Initial Training of History Teachers (Spain–England). Sustainability, 12.10.3390/su12030933 ↗
39. Griffith, M., and Lechuga-Jimenez, C. (2024). Design Thinking in Higher Education Case Studies: Disciplinary Contrasts between Cultural Heritage and Language and Technology. Educ. Sci., 14.10.3390/educsci14010090 ↗
40. Catapoti, D., Nikolaou, P., and Andriopoulou, D. (2019, January 13–15). ICT and Cultural Heritage in Greece and Cyprus: A Critical Overview of Current Postgraduate Curricula. Proceedings of the International Conference on Cultural Informatics, Communication & Media Studies, Mytilene, Greece.10.12681/cicms.2731 ↗
41. Skublewska-Paszkowska, M., Miłosz, M., and Lukasik, E. (2017, January 3–5). ACM/IEEE Recommendations for Computing Curricula and the Needs of the Polish CS Industry. Proceedings of the International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona, Spain.10.21125/edulearn.2017.0700 ↗
42. Lukasik, E., Milosz, M., Skublewska-Paszkowska, M., and Charytanowicz, M. (2020, January 2–4). Adjusting the Undergraduate Computer Science Curricula to Labour Market Requirements Based on the ACM/IEEE Model. Proceedings of the 14th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, Spain.10.21125/inted.2020.0281 ↗
43. (2025, June 10). Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand. Available online: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afrasiab_Museum_of_Samarkand&oldid=1189577963.
44. (2025, June 17). Samarkand State University—Alisher Navoi Museum. Available online: http://samdu-museum.com/about.
45. Fostering Student Engagement through a Real-World, Collaborative Project across Disciplines and Institutions10.1080/23752696.2020.1750306 ↗
46. Real-life Research Projects Improve Student Engagement and Provide Reliable Data for Academics10.1002/ece3.9593 ↗
47. (2025, June 17). Use Real World Examples to Teach Sustainability. Available online: https://serc.carleton.edu/integrate/teaching_materials/themes/connect_world/real_examples.html.