Digital Transformation of Cultural Heritage
This micro-credential will introduce the key concepts and contemporary frameworks shaping the digital transformation of cultural heritage, with particular focus on the GLAM institutions (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums). It will explore how cultural institutions are responding to the opportunities and challenges brought by digitization, open access, and data-driven approaches, and will equip learners with the foundational knowledge needed to understand and contribute to digital heritage initiatives. Lecturers: Prof. Marijana Tomić, PhD
Associate Prof. Željka Tomasović, PhD
Senior Research Assistant Laura Grzunov
Dates & Timetable:
Applicatons close: May 7, 2026
To run from: May 18, 2026
| Session | Date | Time (CET) |
| Session 1 | May 18, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Session 2 | May 21, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Session 3 | May 25, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Session 4 | June 8, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Session 5 | June 11, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Session 6 | June 12, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Session 7 (project presentations) | June 29, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Session 8 (project presentations) | June 30, 2026 | 10:00–13:00 |
| Timezone | Local Time | Countries |
| Central European Time (CET) | 10:00–13:00 | Croatia, France, Germany, Spain |
| Eastern European Time (EET) | 11:00–14:00 | Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Romania |
| Western European Time (WET) | 09:00–12:00 | Ireland |
Description:
The programme will also examine the role of emerging technologies in heritage practice, including artificial intelligence, 3D digitization, immersive media, and community crowdsourcing, considering both their technical dimensions and their institutional, ethical, and policy implications.
Specific topics covered will include, but are not limited to, digitization workflows and standards, metadata and interoperability, AI applications and governance in heritage contexts, 3D and immersive technologies for heritage interpretation, and participatory approaches to digital cultural heritage including the use of AI for analysis and interpretation of digitized heritage materials using OCR, signal processing and pattern detection.
Learning outcomes:
- Explain the key concepts and types of cultural heritage.
- Explain the key concepts and theoretical foundations of the digital transformation of cultural heritage
- Develop a critical understanding of the objectives of digitizing cultural heritage
- Recognize and examine the fundamental features and principles of gamification, virtual and mixed reality technologies, etc. in the field of cultural heritage.
- Identify and analyze the roles of AI, ML, and data-driven technologies in cultural heritage collection management and visitor experience design.
- Recognize, compare, and reflect on the features and uses of 3D technologies, AR/VR/MR, gamification, and immersive tools in heritage interpretation.
Application status
April 25, 2026
Volume (ECTS):
5 ECTS
Language:
English
Transversal Skills:
Digital Literacy, Problem solving, Participatory Research
Competencies:
Interdisciplinary thinking, Digital Literacy, Technological awareness, Communication skills (oral and written)
Study methods:
- Online synchronous lectures – the teaching sessions are combining theoretical concepts and facilitated discussion
- Case studies — structured analysis of real digital heritage projects and institutional strategies, used across all sessions to ground theory in practice
- Technical demonstrations — instructor-led walkthroughs of tools and platforms
- Self-study — guided independent reading of policy documents, standards, and scholarly literature provided for each session
- Independent assignments — the five graded session assignments (digitization plan, metadata mapping, AI tool evaluation, immersive media proposal, crowdsourcing design)
- Peer review — structured exchange of feedback on draft final projects during the closing session
- Final project — individual integrative project
Study Format:
Online
Entry requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in humanities, social sciences, IT, or related disciplines
English proficiency level CEFR C1
Assessment:
The primary valuation method is an individual final project, complemented by continuous assessment activities such as seminars, independent/group tasks, and analysis of examples of good practice. Clear assessment criteria are defined in advance and communicated to participants.
The following independent activities are evaluated as follows:
- Independent and/or group tasks (15 hours) are evaluated based on the quality of analytical work, relevance to the assigned topic, and the participant’s ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical or institutional contexts.
- Project creation and presentation (50 hours) are evaluated as the central assessment component, focusing on conceptual clarity, analytical depth, methodological justification, alignment with cultural heritage goals, and awareness of ethical and institutional constraints.
- Analysis of examples of good practices (20 hours) is evaluated through written or oral analytical outputs demonstrating critical comparison, contextual understanding, and reflection on transferability to other heritage contexts.
- Studying literature (10 hours) is evaluated indirectly through its integration into written assignments, seminars, and the final project, as evidenced by appropriate use of sources and conceptual grounding.
- Exam preparation (5 hours) is evaluated through online exam (quiz).
Learning outcomes are assessed as follows: - LO1 – Assessed through independent/group tasks and the online exam (quiz), focusing on understanding and explanation of key concepts and types of cultural heritage.
- LO2 – Assessed through independent/group tasks and the theoretical framing within the final project, demonstrating understanding of concepts and theoretical foundations of digital transformation.
- LO3 – Assessed through analysis of examples of good practice and the definition and justification of digitization objectives within the final project.
- LO4 – Assessed through analysis of examples of good practice and independent/group tasks addressing gamification and immersive technologies in cultural heritage contexts.
- LO5 – Assessed through independent/group tasks and the analytical components of the final project, focusing on the roles of AI, ML, and data-driven technologies.
- LO6 – Assessed through analysis of examples of good practice and the final project, particularly through comparative analysis, technology selection, and reflection on suitability and limitations of digital tools for heritage interpretation.
The final project (50 hours) represents the central assessment component and provides integrative evidence for the achievement of multiple learning outcomes, particularly LO2–LO6. Continuous assessment activities ensure ongoing monitoring of learning progress, while the online exam verifies understanding of key concepts and terminology.
HOST UNIVERSITY:
University of Zadar, Croatia
