Overview of Cultural Heritage Education and Emerging Technologies

The integration of emerging technologies such as Digital Twin (DT), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and the Metaverse is profoundly transforming educational processes and the management of cultural heritage (CH). This article explores how these digital innovations are redefining the interaction between users and virtual spaces, with a focus on the concept of DT applied to CH. Using advanced technologies, DT enables the creation of virtual replicas that integrate historical data, real-time information and digital contexts, offering new opportunities for the preservation, monitoring and simulation of CH-related scenarios. The proposed framework presents an innovative platform for CH management and enhancement, based on key concepts such as persistence of virtual spaces and interoperability, allowing users to maintain their digital identity while moving between virtual worlds. Furthermore, the integration of enabling technologies such as Heritage BIM and Extended Reality (XR)-a combination of AR, VR and Metaverse-opens new perspectives for a richer and more immersive cognitive and perceptual experience. The article discusses the challenges and benefits associated with these technologies, and considers the evolution towards Web 3.0 as a catalyst for the creation of increasingly sophisticated, personalised and interactive virtual spaces that promise to revolutionise the education and enjoyment of CH.