Title: The use of visual semantic web for designing virtual expeditions

Authors: Miri Barak; Sergey Kozyrev; Dov Dori

Addresses: Department of Education in Technology and Science, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel. ' Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel. ' Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel

Abstract: The current paper demonstrates application of visual semantic web for designing virtual expeditions in the framework of cultural heritage preservation. The objective of our project was twofold: 1) to design an interactive platform based on the virtual expedition (VE) methodology, and; 2) to assess its usability and impact on users' critical thinking and open-mindedness. Based on the VE methodology, a flash mockup on the life story of two women scientists and their cultural heritage was developed and tested among 107 university students. Findings indicated increase in students' disposition towards open-mindedness, especially related to gender equity. Findings also indicated positive views related to operative, cognitive, and affective aspects of the platform's usability. Students were highly motivated to explore the VE platform and were inclined to discuss issues related to the preservation of their own cultural heritage.

Keywords: cultural heritage; learning technology; heritage preservation; open-mindedness; visual semantic web; system design; virtual expeditions; usability; critical thinking; gender equity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2012.049196

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2012 Vol.7 No.3, pp.297 - 313

Published online: 06 Sep 2014 *

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