Bridging the Digital Skills Gap for Museums: A Pedagogical Framework for Training Students in VR-Based Heritage Presentation

Developing VR-based cultural heritage experiences for interpretation and presentation is highly technical, and many digital teams lack the necessary expertise. In the industry, workers skilled in the interactive 3D (i3D) or VR process are recruited aggressively by the high paying entertainment sector, leaving the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) sector struggling to fill these specialized roles. Museums therefore, face significant challenges in hiring specialists capable of creating 3D scanning, i3D, and VR applications for heritage engagement. The rapid evolution of digital tools requires a workforce proficient in both technical execution and creative ideation—yet traditional education often fails to provide training in this interdisciplinary domain. This research explores ways to equip non-heritage students with transferable skills that meet the needs of the GLAM sector. We present an innovative approach to curriculum design, focusing on teaching and learning (T&L) activities that integrate technical competencies, ideation process, storytelling techniques, and hands-on experience with digital heritage tools, supporting students in developing VR-based systems tailored for heritage interpretation and presentation. By aligning academic training with industry demands of VR-based heritage interpretation, we aim to cultivate a new generation of professionals equipped to bridge the gap between cultural heritage and digital innovation.