Objectives
The lesson plan aims at discussing how a church's interior would have looked like in the Middle Ages, focusing on the exceptionally well preserved case of Santa Maria in Valle Porclaneta near Rosciolo dei Marsi and on the ambo of 1267 in St. Nicholas’ Church at Corcumello, in the province of L’Aquila. Other objectives:
to know the form and function of a sacred building in addition to the religious proclamation, the political role of artistic clients in relation to the territory, the local materials (such as stone, or wood, or marble) and their diffusion in the area, the relationship between the materials used in the Middle Ages and their diffusion today, and the transformation from craftsman to artist. Also to know the dispersion of the heritage and learning to look at bas-reliefs through augmented reality.

Digital Tools Utilized

Technical/Digital Skills to be Possessed by the Teachers
The teacher must possess high communication skills and at least the fundamental knowledge of: history of ancient and medieval art, sacred iconography, use of computers, basic function of virtual reality and knowledge of local natural materials (stone, wood, etc.).
References: Gavini Ignazio Carlo, Sommario della storia della scultura in Abruzzo, Casalbordino 1932; Lehmann Brockhaus Otto, Gli amboni abruzzesi, in “Abruzzo”, 6.1968, 2/3, 333-350; Caselli Cristina, Uno studio sui prodigiosi scalpellini, creatori di amboni e cibori: le botteghe medievali dei "lapicidi" abruzzesi, in “Antiqua”, 11.1986, 5, 31-34; Gandolfo Francesco, Scultura medievale in Abruzzo: l’età normanno-sveva, Pescara 2004.

Description of the Lesson Plan
- Subject(s): Art; Cultural Heritage
- Target- groups: 9 to 13 years
- Teaching Methodologies: The use of VR is increased thanks to the help of a local craftsman. Collaboration between the teacher, the class and the craftsman with local material will be essential for learning to understand the role of materials and sacred iconography.
- Description of practical activities: Thanks to VR visors, the students are offered the opportunity to visualize both the 360 video shot in the Church of Santa Maria in Valle Porclaneta and the ambo of 1267 in St. Nicholas’ Church at Corcumello, in the province of L’Aquila; the lesson aims at discussing the original function of ambos while exploring a 360 model. Through the use of virtual reality screens and visors, the teacher will stimulate the group to immerse themselves in the reading of a sculptural relief. The architectural and sculptural materials are simulated by virtual reality thanks to the color faithful to the original. The surrounding context of the Abruzzo church will help the student to understand the dimensions of the object. The dimensions of the sculptural apparatus are really important: to understand the function of the ambo and its ability to "climb" up. VR can be used after asking students how, in their imagination, how an ambo exists such a place from which to speak in church. Added to the virtual reality, the teacher makes use of the possibility of presenting pieces of material extrapolated from the natural context of Abruzzo in the classroom and connecting them in the context of the ambo. In addition to this, the use of large 3D slides to touch after experiencing virtual reality, created by a local craftsman by the ancient forms of the ambo.
- Duration of the lesson: 90 min.
- Step by step activities to complete the lesson plan:

Step 1: 10 min.
Introduction on what an ambo is and what it is for: discussion without the use of images. In this moment the teacher will motivate the students to think by first looking at the raw material pieces: what can come of it? Are there any examples of these in my city? And if yes, are they so similar?

Step 2: 30 min.
Through the use of VR visors, the teacher will stimulate the class group to immerse themselves in the reading of a sculptural relief. During the celebration of the Mass, these architectural elements were used for the reading of the Epistle, but now why are they really important to the local public or international people? The teacher will ask the students to explain what they see. Try to propose an oral narration of the scenes of the ambo during VR.

Step 3: 20 min.
After a first VR experience, students will be guided by the teacher and a local craftsman to touch the shapes reproduced on recycled materials. Using the sense of touch will help students understand shapes and iconographic differences. The distinction between abstract motifs, animals and human figures of the ambo will help the student to understand the connection between people and the use of sacred images.

Step 4: 30 min.
Students will put their glasses back on and try to come up with a story about the context of the church. Why are there animals carved on the ambo? What is their social function? Are churches still built with the same materials? From these questions, the lesson will have a double learning method: frontal and participatory, with download of the image of the decorative pattern to build.