Enhancing Undergraduate Student’s Understanding of Cultural Heritage Studies Through Digital Storytelling Software

Abstract

The young generation that grew up after the 21st century is under the influence of digital data, smart gadgets, as well as tools that allow them to process information differently. To date, digital storytelling has been studied as a platform for communicating with students in developing information literacy and cultural understanding. Therefore, this study investigated whether DST can help students increase their knowledge of arts and cultural heritage and improve their engagement in developing technological and scientific skills. A purposive sample of 60 (Group 1 and Group 2) first-year students enrolled in an arts and heritage course at UMT were interviewed using qualitative research with seven (8) open-ended interview questions and the questionnaire was distributed via a Google form. Upon completion of the digital storytelling project, the data was collected and analysed. The results are organised as follows: i) Knowledge and improvement of the subject of arts and cultural heritage management ii) Building technical research skills iii) Affective responses to digital storytelling iv) Working in a group. Digital storytelling enhanced students' experiences, perceptions of cultural competence, and development of research and technical skills. Benefits included the use of creative thinking and ultimately producing a short video on a diversity topic of their choosing without identifying themselves as artists or filmmakers. able to create or enhance meaning through the use of additional tools.