Methodology for spatial-visual literacy (MSVL) in heritage education: Application to teacher training and interdisciplinary perspectives

Modern Conservation of Cultural Heritage (CCH) is an interdisciplinary field, comprising arts, crafts, architecture, humanities, IT (Information Technology) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Several decades of extended research have shown the importance of spatial skills and spatial literacy for success in STEM. A major part of cultural heritage is visual, and three-dimensional. A sufficient level of spatial understanding and spatial skills is needed to understand, study and preserve cultural heritage. Visualization is especially helpful in teaching and learning the interdisciplinary CCH. However, the necessity of developing spatial visual literacy, and acquisition of relevant theoretical knowledge by experts and educators in CCH has not yet been commonly accepted. This paper outlines an innovative Methodology for developing Spatial Visual Literacy (MSVL) - a crucial tool for CCH and heritage education, - and selected perspectives of its feasibility and applicability to teacher training and also wider interdisciplinary uses. The paper addresses selected lessons from application of some elements of the Methodology as part of previous research and educational scenarios for different objectives and target audiences, from high-school, undergraduate, PhD students, to experts from different areas of expertise within the CCH, to facilitate its uses for teacher training in heritage education.