Title: Virtual cultural heritage consumption: a 3D learning experience

Authors: Eleonara Pantano

Addresses: Department of Linguistics, University of Calabria, via P. Bucci, Cubo 17 b, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy

Abstract: Current advances in technology are developing new tools capable of supporting and facilitating the diffusion of knowledge for a wide range of final user. Web-based technologies offer new powerful tools for accessing knowledge and educational contents related to the field of cultural heritage in an easy and interactive way. As a consequence, there is an increasing effort in digitising museum collections and exhibitions, as well as in diffusing digital educational content throughout the web. In this way, a new vision of cultural heritage accessed via computer is emerging: virtual cultural heritage. The aim of this paper is to investigate the consumption process of virtual cultural heritage, by examining the main characteristics of its consumers and how they make use of digital educational content, in order to more deeply understand the link between consumption experience and virtual cultural heritage.

Keywords: consumer behaviour; virtual heritage; cultural heritage; knowledge transfer; virtual reality; edutainment; infotainment; entertainment; education; heritage consumption; learning experiences; knowledge diffusion; final users; web-based technologies; internet; world wide web; educational content; interactive access; interactivity; digitisation; museum collections; art exhibitions; digital content; computer access; consumption experience; virtual museums; Magna Graecia; Calabria; Italy; 3D; three dimensions; three dimensional; technology enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2011.042100

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2011 Vol.3 No.5, pp.482 - 495

Received: 26 Aug 2010
Accepted: 10 May 2011

Published online: 26 Feb 2015 *

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