Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
Interest
Topics
Details

Details

  • Name

    Maria van Zeller
  • Role

    Assistant Researcher
  • Since

    18th April 2022
Publications

2025

Frontiers of the Past in the Digital World: Multidisciplinary Collaboration in the 3D Reconstitution of Medieval Border Towns

Authors
Lacet, D; Cuesta-Gómez, F; Prata, S; Trindade, L; da Silva, GM; Costa, A; Van Zeller, M; Morgado, L; Coelho, A; Alves, T; Filipe, J;

Publication
2025 IEEE CONFERENCE ON VIRTUAL REALITY AND 3D USER INTERFACES ABSTRACTS AND WORKSHOPS, VRW

Abstract
The virtual reconstitution of Castelo de Vide, Portugal, within the FRONTOWNS project, highlights the challenges and successes of multidisciplinary collaboration in heritage preservation through 3D modeling. The goal was to reconstruct the town's urban evolution, focusing on its role as a border settlement from the 13th to 16th centuries. The project combined archaeological evidence, historical sources, and digital technologies like photogrammetry and 3D scanning. Co -creation workshops aligned diverse knowledge, leading to creative solutions that balanced historical accuracy and technical feasibility. Despite budget constraints, it produced a high-quality digital reconstitution with insights for future virtual heritage projects.

2025

Extended Abstract—Stories of Peso da Régua: The Enigma of the Ancient Vines - The Co-Creation Process of an Immersive Experience in Cibricity

Authors
Eliane Schlemmer; Maria Van Zeller; Diana Quitéria Sousa; Patrícia Scherer Bassani;

Publication
2025 11th International Conference of the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) Proceedings - Selected Academic Contributions

Abstract

2025

How Museums Are Changing Their Visitors’ Experience with New Formats and Approaches to Digital Storytelling

Authors
Lacet, D; van Zeller, M; Martins, P; Morgado, LC;

Publication
Communications in Computer and Information Science

Abstract
This study focuses on exploring new formats and innovative approaches to digital storytelling in museums, offering a critical analysis of existing formats and proposing new perspectives. Initially, current digital storytelling formats are examined, ranging from mobile applications and augmented reality to interactive and multimedia exhibitions. Next, new paradigms and strategies are discussed that aim to expand the possibilities of public engagement and enrich museum experiences. Using a detailed method, careful selections, in-depth analyses and presentation of results are made that highlight both the potential and challenges of these new approaches. The final discussion contextualizes these practices in the current scenario of digital culture and suggests paths for future investigations and developments in the field of digital storytelling in museums. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

2025

Haka'a'Museum: Designing for a Sustainable Ocean

Authors
Van Zeller, M; Cesario, V;

Publication
COMPANION PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2025 ACM DESIGNING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, DIS 2025

Abstract
The Haka'a'Museum workshop in Madeira explores how augmented reality (AR) enhances marine conservation education. This one-day, hands-on experience engages participants in co-creating AR experiences that make complex environmental issues more accessible. Following a structured approach, participants explore museum exhibits, collaborate on AR concepts, implement content using no-code tools, and evaluate their experiences. Leveraging Madeira's unique marine ecosystem, the workshop addresses ocean pollution, climate change, and sustainability. Data from AR interactions will inform the best practices for museum education. Ultimately, the workshop fosters awareness and action for ocean sustainability, redefining how museums educate through immersive technology.

2024

Participatory design as a co-creation methodology for health literacy games: the case of the TRIO project

Authors
van Zeller, M; Morgado, L; Pecaibes, V;

Publication
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTERS, ICETC 2024

Abstract
The co-creation of games is a research area that has shown very promising results in identifying technological requirements. It is an approach where the researcher usually adopts the role of a participant observer, guiding the dynamics of co-creation acts. This situation limits the opportunities for replicability of co-creation methods by independent facilitators, which could elucidate the quality and improvement opportunities of these methods, contributing to their more widespread application. In this paper, we present a methodology that aims to overcome this limitation, allowing the replication of co-creation workshops by different independent facilitators. This methodology was conceived in the context of collecting relevant information for the design of an educational digital platform that intends to use gamified resources for adult education in digital health data literacy. Specifically, co-creation workshops were used to gain an overview of the difficulties of different age groups in this area and their perspective on which games would best address these difficulties. The workshops were conducted in five countries with planning oriented so that each country could have a different facilitator, not requiring the presence of the researcher who designed them. The challenge of this planning was to maintain the approach of the facilitators identical in all countries, as best one could. We present here the method adopted through its planning and materials designed for information collection, which included brainstorming using card sorting and game ideation with the use of templates. The analysis of replicability by independent facilitators was done by scrutinizing the produced elements, which allowed us to observe the aspects of coherence and divergence among the various facilitators. Thus, we conclude that this approach is a good starting point to overcome current limitations and identify possible lines of improvement.

Supervised
thesis

2023

Authoring tool for multiplatform interactive digital storytelling

Author
João Alexandre Lobo Cardoso

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

Experiências Inclusivas com Uso de Jogos e Realidade Aumentada: Caso de Estudo no Museu do Douro

Author
Diogo Filipe Teixeira Fonseca

Institution
UP-FEUP

2021

Inven!RA Authoring Immersive Education & Training

Author
José Ricardo Vieira Gomes

Institution
UP-FEUP