Virtual Reality Applied to Heritage in Higher Education—Validation of a Questionnaire to Evaluate Usability, Learning, and Emotions

Abstract

Cultural heritage is one of the areas where Extended Reality is having a significant impact nowadays. Although often associated with entertainment, this technology has enormous educational potential when applied to heritage. Therefore, it is essential to implement monitoring tools in educational practice to assess its actual effectiveness. This article presents the process of generating and validating a statistical data collection instrument developed to evaluate a virtual reality experience created using the archaeological heritage of the ancient Roman city of Augusta Emerita (Mérida, Spain). It can be easily adapted to evaluate similar experiences. The aim is to gauge the effectiveness of these experiences as a didactic resource. The questionnaire was subjected to an evaluation of its three dimensions. Content validity was analyzed through expert judgments, while applicability was tested by students. Finally, a series of statistical tests were conducted to verify construct reliability and internal consistency. Based on the results obtained and cross-referenced with the data provided by the literature, the suitability of this tool for collecting data on usability, learning, and emotions in virtual reality experiences is confirmed.

Enhancing the Sustainability of Intangible Cultural Heritage Projects: Obtaining Efficient Digital Skills Preservation through Binocular Half Panoramic VR Maps

“…Therefore, the protection of intangible cultural heritage is also one of the drivers of achieving sustainable development in human society. The Operational Directives for the Implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO also call for greater attention to the significant role of intangible cultural heritage [1][2][3][4].…”