In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for education

The Author discusses the impact of the "homo videns" era on education, emphasizing the importance of visual literacy in a society increasingly dominated by images. She argues that the ability to analyze and interpret visual narratives critically is essential for students at all educationa...

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Main Author: Magdalena Lachowicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan 2025-08-01
Series:Studia Historiae Oeconomicae
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pressto.amu.edu.pl/index.php/sho/article/view/49319
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author Magdalena Lachowicz
author_facet Magdalena Lachowicz
author_sort Magdalena Lachowicz
collection DOAJ
description The Author discusses the impact of the "homo videns" era on education, emphasizing the importance of visual literacy in a society increasingly dominated by images. She argues that the ability to analyze and interpret visual narratives critically is essential for students at all educational levels. Integrating visual thinking methods and documentary photography into the curriculum is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of teaching humanities and to adapt to the changing communication landscape shaped by media. The article highlights the historical significance of documentary photography in social reform, referencing influential figures like Lewis Hine and Jacob Riis, who used their work to advocate for labor rights and social change. The Author also explores the philosophical and semiotic dimensions of photography, suggesting that it serves as a cultural text that conveys historical context and societal values. The potential of photography as an educational tool is further reinforced by the availability of digital archives and social archives, which can enrich the learning experience and foster critical analytical skills among students. Finally, the author addresses the legal aspects of using visual materials in education, particularly concerning copyright laws and the importance of understanding Creative Commons licenses. She emphasizes the role of social archives in preserving local history and promoting civic engagement, while also pointing to various digital resources available to educators. By leveraging these tools and methodologies, educators can create innovative learning experiences that engage students in the exploration of history and culture through visual media. The text discusses a teaching method where a teacher provides a camera to students, encouraging them to photograph their social realities. This approach, sometimes used interchangeably with photo elicitation, allows students to select images that reflect their experiences and document specific social phenomena. The resulting photographic documentation should be well-planned and relevant for social or historical research. Teachers can offer guidance similar to that of Roy Striker or Charles Suchar, focusing on a central research question. This method can be adapted for various age groups and skill levels, serving as a foundation for education on social processes and self-evaluation of teaching practices
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spelling doaj-art-84653c653a074e299408db19e71c80052025-08-20T03:47:16ZengAdam Mickiewicz University, PoznanStudia Historiae Oeconomicae0081-64852353-75152025-08-0143110.14746/sho.2025.43.1.010In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for educationMagdalena Lachowicz 0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0343-0738Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań The Author discusses the impact of the "homo videns" era on education, emphasizing the importance of visual literacy in a society increasingly dominated by images. She argues that the ability to analyze and interpret visual narratives critically is essential for students at all educational levels. Integrating visual thinking methods and documentary photography into the curriculum is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of teaching humanities and to adapt to the changing communication landscape shaped by media. The article highlights the historical significance of documentary photography in social reform, referencing influential figures like Lewis Hine and Jacob Riis, who used their work to advocate for labor rights and social change. The Author also explores the philosophical and semiotic dimensions of photography, suggesting that it serves as a cultural text that conveys historical context and societal values. The potential of photography as an educational tool is further reinforced by the availability of digital archives and social archives, which can enrich the learning experience and foster critical analytical skills among students. Finally, the author addresses the legal aspects of using visual materials in education, particularly concerning copyright laws and the importance of understanding Creative Commons licenses. She emphasizes the role of social archives in preserving local history and promoting civic engagement, while also pointing to various digital resources available to educators. By leveraging these tools and methodologies, educators can create innovative learning experiences that engage students in the exploration of history and culture through visual media. The text discusses a teaching method where a teacher provides a camera to students, encouraging them to photograph their social realities. This approach, sometimes used interchangeably with photo elicitation, allows students to select images that reflect their experiences and document specific social phenomena. The resulting photographic documentation should be well-planned and relevant for social or historical research. Teachers can offer guidance similar to that of Roy Striker or Charles Suchar, focusing on a central research question. This method can be adapted for various age groups and skill levels, serving as a foundation for education on social processes and self-evaluation of teaching practices https://pressto.amu.edu.pl/index.php/sho/article/view/49319photographysocial archivesinformal education projectshomo videns
spellingShingle Magdalena Lachowicz
In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for education
Studia Historiae Oeconomicae
photography
social archives
informal education projects
homo videns
title In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for education
title_full In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for education
title_fullStr In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for education
title_full_unstemmed In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for education
title_short In the spirit of the Homo Videns era: Digital humanities databases and their potential for education
title_sort in the spirit of the homo videns era digital humanities databases and their potential for education
topic photography
social archives
informal education projects
homo videns
url https://pressto.amu.edu.pl/index.php/sho/article/view/49319
work_keys_str_mv AT magdalenalachowicz inthespiritofthehomovidenseradigitalhumanitiesdatabasesandtheirpotentialforeducation