Designing Digital Storytelling Media for Heritage Education in Greece
Keywords:
digital storytelling, heritage education, Greece, educational technology, cultural preservation, interactive mediaAbstract
This design-based research study explores the development and evaluation of digital storytelling media for enhancing cultural heritage education among Greek secondary students. Recognizing the disconnect between traditional heritage instruction and contemporary digital learning preferences, this research employed participatory design methodologies to create interactive digital narratives centered on Greek archaeological sites, historical events, and cultural traditions. The design process involved collaboration among educators, heritage professionals, multimedia designers, and 245 students across five Greek secondary schools. Through iterative development cycles, the research team produced twelve digital storytelling modules incorporating immersive narratives, augmented reality features, interactive timelines, and gamification elements. Evaluation data demonstrate significant improvements in students' historical knowledge retention, cultural heritage appreciation, and emotional engagement compared to conventional textbook-based instruction. Students reported enhanced motivation and deeper personal connections to Greek heritage through digital storytelling experiences. However, implementation challenges emerged regarding technological infrastructure disparities, teacher digital competencies, and tensions between entertainment and educational rigor. This research contributes frameworks for culturally-responsive digital heritage education while offering practical design.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Dimitra Papadopoulos (Author)
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