Building Online Historical Resources Collaboratively: Making the Most of a Digital Library to Reinforce ICT Skills in Malaysia

Abstract

Presents a framework for a Collaborative Resource Development (CoreDev) digital library for Malaysian historical resources based on the development of local historical digital content by collaborating partners. The environment would provide the platform for the educational community to participate in e-publishing of resources that can be shared by others. The desired outcomes would be an enriched local content of historical resources on the Internet and ICT-literate teachers and students. The prototype uses a biographical portal as the test bed, incorporating five main modules: (a) off site creation, indexing, searching and retrieval of historical resources; (b) a database that supports multi-format digital resources; (c) simple and complex searches; (d) varied resource display; and (e) basic security features for participating partners. CoreDev is ideal for introducing the use of ICT as a research tool. Teachers can also use it extensively to teach Internet searching skills and make the most of its flexibility to reinforce basic ICT skills.

Keywords

Historical research Digital libraries Source materials Computer assisted collaborative work Malaysia

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