How can digital teaching aids be designed for primary schools to ensure student acceptance while maximizing educational value?

This study is based on the hypothesis that successful digital teaching tools integrate user experiences similar to those that shape students’ engagement in their free time—particularly through playful interactions. To explore this idea, a minimum viable product (MVP) was developed and tested.

By enabling interactive exploration of otherwise abstract concepts - such as spatial imagination - Virtual Reality (VR) can enhance students’ understanding of learning content.

The prototype features a virtual 3D representation of Zurich’s tallest building, the Prime Tower (126m), a familiar landmark for students. It also includes models of the Great Pyramid of Giza (138m), the Eiffel Tower (324m), and the Burj Khalifa (828m), currently the tallest building in the world.

Contrary to concerns about video game addiction, well-designed digital teaching aids have the potential to make students «addicted to learning» by fostering curiosity and engagement in an educational context.