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Journals / Library Archive and Museum Research Journal / 2026 / Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2

Digitization of Cultural Memory: Communication Models in Virtual Reality (VR)-Based Museology

Kültürel Belleğin Dijitalleşmesi: Sanal Gerçeklik (VR) Tabanlı Müzecilikte İletişim Modelleri

Arif Akbaş(SİVAS CUMHURİYET ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8480-4350
Pages
118–151
Publication Date
2026-09-12
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The article discusses how virtual museum experiences and virtual tour technologies transform user interaction within museums and examines their communicative impacts through the model developed for this purpose.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This article examines the new communication models in virtual museums that integrate the process of digitalizing cultural memory with virtual reality (VR) technologies.
📊
Key Findings & Data:In this context, 16 museums selected from internationally recognized virtual museum platforms were analyzed based on criteria such as accessibility, level of interaction, content richness, design quality, and cultural sensitivity.
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Conclusion & Impact:The article discusses how virtual museum experiences and virtual tour technologies transform user interaction within museums and examines their communicative impacts through the model developed for this purpose.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:İletişim sosyolojisi · Kültürel belleğin dijitalleşmesi · Sanal müzeler

Abstract

This article examines the new communication models in virtual museums that integrate the process of digitalizing cultural memory with virtual reality (VR) technologies. The importance of digital technologies in preserving cultural heritage and enhancing its accessibility has been steadily increasing. Virtual reality provides enriched experiential environments, enabling cultural elements to be conveyed more effectively to visitors. The aim of the study is to reveal how VR technologies reshape user experience in virtual museums and how they contribute to the sustainability of cultural memory. The research employs document analysis and an interpretive approach within the framework of communication sociology. In this context, 16 museums selected from internationally recognized virtual museum platforms were analyzed based on criteria such as accessibility, level of interaction, content richness, design quality, and cultural sensitivity. These museums were evaluated to identify their existing communication models. The study found that VR technologies create stronger emotional connections among visitors and make cultural knowledge more enduring. Furthermore, VR applications were observed to present historical contexts in a more compelling manner and to enhance user engagement. Virtual reality–based virtual museums [360° web‑based virtual tours / VR panoramic experiences] play a significant role in the sustainability of cultural memory and contribute to the digital transformation of collective memory through new communication models. The study offers a framework that may guide future research in this field. The article discusses how virtual museum experiences and virtual tour technologies transform user interaction within museums and examines their communicative impacts through the model developed for this purpose.

Özet

Bu makale, kültürel belleğin dijitalleşme sürecini sanal gerçeklik (VR) teknolojileriyle bütünleştiren sanal müzelerdeki yeni iletişim modellerini incelemektedir. Kültürel mirasın korunması ve erişilebilirliğinin artırılmasında dijital teknolojilerin önemi giderek artmaktadır. Sanal gerçeklik, ziyaretçilere zenginleştirilmiş deneyimler sunarak kültürel unsurların daha etkili bir şekilde aktarılmasını sağlamaktadır. Araştırmanın amacı, VR teknolojilerinin sanal müzelerde kullanıcı deneyimini nasıl yeniden şekillendirdiğini ve kültürel belleğin sürdürülebilirliğine nasıl katkıda bulunduğunu ortaya koymaktır. Araştırmada döküman incelemesi ile iletişim sosyolojisindeki yorumlayıcı metot kullanılmıştır. Bu kapsamda, uluslararası görünürlüğe sahip sanal müze platformlarından belirlenen 16 müze, erişilebilirlik, etkileşim düzeyi, içerik zenginliği, tasarım ve kültürel hassasiyet gibi ölçütlere göre analiz edilmiştir. Bu müzeler analiz edilerek mevcut iletişim modelleri değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışmada, VR teknolojilerinin ziyaretçilerde daha güçlü duygusal bağlar oluşturduğu ve kültürel bilgiyi daha kalıcı hale getirdiği tespit edilmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra, VR uygulamalarının tarihsel bağlamları daha etkileyici bir biçimde sunduğu ve kullanıcı katılımını artırdığı gözlemlenmiştir. Sanal gerçeklik tabanlı sanal müzeler [360° web tabanlı sanal tur/ VR Panoramik Deneyimler], kültürel belleğin sürdürülebilirliğinde önemli bir rol oynamakta ve yeni iletişim modelleriyle toplumsal hafızanın dijital dönüşümüne katkı sağlamaktadır. Çalışma, bu alanda gelecekteki araştırmalara yön verebilecek bir çerçeve sunmaktadır. Makalede, sanal müze deneyimleri ve sanal tur teknolojilerinin müzelerde kullanıcı etkileşimini nasıl dönüştürdüğü ele alınmış; bu bağlamda geliştirilen model aracılığıyla iletişimsel etkileri incelenmiştir.

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Cite This Article

Akbaş, A. (2026). Digitization of Cultural Memory: Communication Models in Virtual Reality (VR)-Based Museology. Library Archive and Museum Research Journal, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2, 118–151. https://doi.org/10.59116/lamre.1846365

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