Developing a Web-Based History Educational System

Abstract

HES-SPATO, a web-based history educational system, was developed to integrate the indispensable elements of history events such as person, space, and time for increasing the understandability of history learning materials. It was based on SCORM (sharable content object reference model), to ensure reusability, durability, accessibility, and interoperability of electronic materials. In HES-SPATO, history SCOs (sharable content objects) were formed by integrating SPATOs (Spatial, Person, Action/Attribute, and Temporal Object) with the associated "space," "person," and "action/attribute" assets. SCOs, then, formed other SCORM components such as lessons and courses accordingly. The authoring module of HES-SPATO can enhance the history courseware designer and instructor's ability for creating online materials in a few guided steps. By applying the GIS concept of information layers and temporal logic, the learning module of HES-SPATO allowed students to visualize history events more clearly in sequence with different features according to their own needs. It can also present specific information directly related to the history event only, as defined in SPATO, to reduce cognitive load. With these developed functionalities, HES-SPATO shall be able to effectively reduce the instructor's burden and increase the understandability of history learning materials.