Exploring the Potential and Usability Evaluation of a VR-Based Art Restoration Education System

This study explores the potential of integrating Virtual Reality technology into art restoration education and conducts a preliminary usability evaluation for an immersive training prototype. Amidst the digital transformation of cultural heritage preservation, traditional apprenticeship-based education faces challenges such as irreversible damage risks to artifacts, high costs of restoration materials, and a lack of error tolerance for beginners. To address these issues, virtual environments provide a “zero-risk” simulation laboratory, allowing learners to engage in repetitive practice with real-time feedback. This research focuses on a prototype of a “Virtual Conservation and Restoration Education system” (V-CARE system) and conducted usability testing with 20 students at Cheng Shiu University. A mixed-method evaluation approach was employed, combining the System Usability Scale (SUS) for quantitative measurement and the 12 VR Heuristics proposed by Sutcliffe and Gault for qualitative verification. The evaluation suggests preliminary evidence in terms of learnability, interaction naturalness, and immersion. Finally, the study discusses potential layout considerations for prospective virtual environments, aiming to provide a baseline reference for virtual applications in cultural preservation training.