What is digital history? I would contend that digital history is simply the portrayal of historic information in a digital form. To me, digital history is online, intuitive, interactive and open to interpretation. I recently read an article here in which career academics discussed digital history, available here. I do not believe digital history needs to be a topic of such debate (and length). Digital history should take advantages over print media and other ‘traditional’ historical sources to create an intuitive and interactive experience for the user.
Digital history cannot replace the experience found in many historic venues and places. For example, in 2007 when I visited Auschwitz there was no digital tour (that I was aware of). In this example, the pure power of place and artifact did not need amplification by digital media or augmentation. The personal tour recounting the terror inflicted on the human race, served as a reminder to us all of the horrors of unbridled power.
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| Looking at this photo online does not give the user the same experience as being there first hand. |
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| Photo curtosey of tom.arthur - www.flickr.com |
This is not to say that digital history cannot be useful to augment many different experiences. For instance a QR code at a historic overlook explaining what it looked like (in an audio or video file) when explorers first looked at the valley could be useful and far more efficient than hiring someone to stand at a historic overlook and talk to whoever happens to stop the car.
Digital history has a use, and should be engaging and interactive. Archives and institutions across the world are beginning to understand what this interaction can be and how they can use it to the best of their ability to make sure that the digital history experience adds to rather than subtracts from the physical experience that comes with historic artifacts and places.
You make some good points and both of the photos are excellent examples of destinations that cannot be replaced with an "online tour."
ReplyDeleteThe Museum of Tolerance, which I reference in my blog, is an excellent portrayal of how digitizing information can enhance the experience of a museum attendee. I was required to go there while in middle school, and the technology they used was very powerful in the depiction of concentration camps. Of course you still had to physically be somewhere, it was much more moving than even their own website. I very much agree with your statements and enjoyed reading your blog!
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