Konstantinos Kotsopoulos

This paper presents the META-TRAINING project, which developed a Virtual Reality-based digital platform designed to transform distance learning through immersive avatar-driven virtual environments. Addressing current e-learning limitations, the project adopts a user-centred design methodology informed by comprehensive empirical research involving 54 participants through convenience sampling. This framework combines experiential learning theory and presence in virtual environments. The key findings reveal that cross-platform compatibility, hybrid access capabilities, and integrated assessment tools represent the highest priorities for educational stakeholders. The platform supports synchronous remote education across corporate training, higher education, and vocational sectors through cross-platform VR support (Meta Quest, HTC Vive), cloud-based infrastructure, and session management systems. The results demonstrate substantial improvements in accessibility through hybrid access models allowing both VR and non-VR participants in shared sessions. The platform offers white-label options, LMS integration, and multilingual support, positioning itself competitively in the emerging metaverse education market. By bridging empirical research with XR technologies, this project contributes actionable insights into smart immersive learning environments across education, healthcare, industry, and public administration .

This study presents the evaluation results of the “ATANA” research program, which focuses on a platform that integrates the creation and management of narratives associated with cultural tourism applications. Considering the objectives of this study and the target audience, the proposed method could be beneficial to museums and cultural institutions by providing interactive tours and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Additionally, it can be advantageous for cultural tourism stakeholders and local businesses in the surrounding areas as it may attract more tourists and increase footfall. The platform leverages augmented reality and narrative techniques within an ambient-intelligence environment that encompasses a museum and its surrounding landmarks. The case study pertains to the Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology (MAET), an institution with a continuous presence for 25 years, represented through a network of museums on the same theme located in Ancient Olympia and Athens, and an exhibition in which the organisation has participated in Malta. The methodology employed leverages the principles of ambient intelligence, enabling tourists to traverse the historic centre of Athens or the archaeological site of the Olympia, and to explore ancient Greek technological inventions through a mobile application supporting augmented reality. The proposed approach also supported the participation of MAET in an exhibition in Malta by projecting a variety of 3D inventions presented in MAET museums through augmented reality.

This study presents the application of Constructivist Grounded Theory in the design of extended reality applications within the Digicult project aimed at enhancing the visibility and accessibility of Aitoloakarnania's unique fortifications. The project developed three primary applications: virtual tours, a virtual reality, and an augmented reality application. Requirements’ analysis was conducted using an adapted version of Grounded Theory, leading to well-defined, user-centric requirements and clear user stories. These user stories facilitated the development of technologically advanced, functional, and engaging applications. Simultaneously, the Virtual Street Museum project, sharing the same core development team, aimed to develop an interactive mobile application that provides personalised cultural tourist routes using augmented reality to enhance the user's visiting experience. Unlike Digicult, Virtual Street Museum did not use the adapted version of Grounded Theory. Both projects followed a hybrid Agile/Stage-Gate development methodology, supporting iterative cycles and external collaborations. This study focuses on the initial phases of the development methodology, specifically the requirements analysis, and how Constructivist Grounded Theory can support the procedure and add reliability and quality to the main requirements of a project, as tested in the Digicult–Aitoloakarnania research project. The implications of this study are also discussed.

The key questions of this article concern the extent to which digital documentation, 3D scanning technologies, and VR/AR technologies contribute to the preservation, enhancement, and sustainability of cultural heritage. The purpose of this research is to present an innovative methodology through which a platform for the diagnosis, management, and documentation of findings, progress, and reports and projections of rescue excavations in the area of Euboea, Greece was implemented. A holistic approach is proposed with a comprehensive system of archaeological documentation and visualization, which integrates the use of digital technologies in all steps of the archaeological process, enhances the tools of the scientific community, and provides immersive experiences for both researchers and the public. The results of the method include (1) a complex toolbox of innovative technologies that allow archaeologists to plan and execute a rescue excavation in an efficient and concise manner and (2) a VR installation at the Diachronic Museum of Chalkida “Arethousa”, which allows the public to participate in virtual rescue excavations and explore archaeological sites that are no longer accessible. Through this project, the impact of new technologies on cultural heritage and, in particular, on issues of sustainability, accessibility, education, and visitor participation is highlighted.

Open laboratories (OpenLabs) in Cultural Heritage institutions are an effective way to provide visibility into the behind-the-scenes processes and promote documentation data collected and produced by domain specialists. However, presenting these processes without proper explanation or communication with specialists may cause issues in terms of visitors’ understanding. To support OpenLabs and disseminate information, digital media and efficient data management can be utilized. The CAnTi (Conservation of Ancient Tiryns) project seeks to design and implement virtual and mixed reality applications that visualize conservation and restoration data, supporting OpenLab operations at the Acropolis of Ancient Tiryns. Semantic Web technologies will be used to model the digital content, facilitating organization and interoperability with external sources in the future. These applications will be part of the OpenLab activities on the site, enhancing visitors’ experiences and understanding of current and past conservation and restoration practices.