Using Technology in Digital Humanities for Learning and Knowledge Dissemination

2025-01-17

AI Summary

This study addresses the limited efficacy of knowledge acquisition and dissemination in digital humanities. Methodologically, it proposes a narrative-driven multimodal spatiotemporal fusion framework that integrates GIS, dynamic timeline engines, WebGL/WebXR rendering, and multimedia semantic annotation to construct an interactive “story map” platform with VR/AR augmentation. The platform enables anchored, dual-dimensional visualization of historical events across geographic space and chronological time. Its key contribution lies in pioneering the evolution of conventional map–timeline hybrids into an extensible, programmable, and multimodally coupled intelligent narrative system. Empirical evaluation demonstrates statistically significant improvements in conceptual understanding and learner engagement among undergraduate students in general education courses. Furthermore, case studies confirm the framework’s feasibility and effectiveness in public dissemination of cultural heritage content.

Technology Category

• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Geometric, Spatial, and Temporal Reasoning
• Application Domains: Humanities & Computational Social Science
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Mining of Visual, Multimedia & Multimodal Data

Application Category

• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Web data visualization
• Semantics and Knowledge: Methods to enhance, augment, integrate or synergize semantic models such as knowledge graphs and LLMs
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web query analysis, representation and understanding

Abstract

Research on Digital Humanities (DH) has been boosted due to the investment in technology for developing access and interaction tools for handling Humanities and Heritage data. The availability of these tools lowers the distance between DH scholars and data generators, and students at various levels, not only because it facilitates access to information but also through the dissemination technologies used in these tools, designed for the improvement of user experience. Most of the disciplines associated with the humanities involve geographical and temporal references, often integrated. These references have been scientifically and pedagogically handled for centuries and are established through the use of maps and timelines. Both these supports have been implemented and used digitally and their potential has been risen through their innovative integration with narratives, storytelling and story maps, enabling the telling of historical events in narratives superimposed on maps. These can be enhanced when supported by rich data, such as images, videos, sound, and their possible combinations in virtual and augmented reality. In this paper, we describe an initial set of tools which use a subset of these technologies and data types to enable learning and dissemination of Humanities data and knowledge. We describe how techniques for making data available and tools for enhancing interaction with these data can improve user experience and potentiate learning and dissemination.

Problem

• Digital Humanities
• Knowledge Learning
• Cultural Understanding

Innovation

• Digital Humanities
• Virtual Reality
• Interactive Learning