Assessing Digital Tools in Education Process for Cultural Heritage: A Literature Review

Abstract. Participatory learning plays a key role in people-centered heritage conservation by engaging communities and diverse audiences in knowledge co-creation and transmission. Emerging digital tools further expand access and enrich heritage education. While numerous case studies have explored these tools, existing research often isolates technological features from educational outcomes, lacking a comprehensive understanding of how tool types support participatory learning goals. This study analyzes 140 relevant publications retrieved from the Scopus database, using a four-dimensional framework encompassing Cultural Heritage, Education, Digital Tools, and Participation. Following data purification, a quantitative analysis is performed to systematically examine keyword evolution and the development of research focus over time, utilizing the visualization tool CiteSpace. The findings reveal the research interests within the digital tools in participatory learning in education process of cultural heritage sector over the past decade have been evolving along time, encompassing areas such as immersive technologies (VR/AR), gamified learning (serious games), applications in higher education, and socio-cultural engagement, while increasingly expanding towards AI-driven personalized learning, multimodal interaction, and big data analytics. Furthermore, by establishing an assessment framework, this study elucidates the distinct advantages and disadvantages of each digital tool in the educational process. The insights derived aim to provide practical guidance for researchers, policymakers, and educators on how to effectively integrate emerging technologies into participatory learning initiatives for cultural heritage conservation.