Elements Of Heritage Research Articles

Design of a virtual reality serious game for experiencing the colors of Dunhuang frescoes

With the rapid advancement of digital games, serious games have emerged as a significant medium for engaging with cultural heritage. As a primary visual element in cultural heritage, color plays a crucial role in users’ digital learning. However, there is currently a scarcity of serious game designs that specifically focus on cultural heritage colors, indicating potential for improvement in the user experience. To further enhance users’ perception of color and create a more engaging and enriching digital cultural heritage experience, this study proposes a virtual reality serious game (VR SG) design method specifically tailored to cultural heritage colors. Additionally, it explores the potential of VR SG in enhancing the education, entertainment, and dissemination aspects of these colors within cultural heritage. Specifically, we explore how to integrate relevant knowledge of cultural heritage colors into the application process of VR SG and assess users’ learning performance, engagement, and interactive willingness within these VR SG. The study employs the colors of the Dunhuang cave frescoes as a case study for design practice. A total of 30 participants took part in a between-group comparison experiment, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative and qualitative assessments to compare the performance of a VR SG with a VR exhibition game. The results indicate that both the VR SG and the VR exhibition game effectively enhance users’ understanding and retention of knowledge, with VR SG users demonstrating higher levels of task engagement, emotional engagement, willingness to explore, and willingness to share. This study confirms the potential of VR SG to enhance the education, entertainment, and dissemination aspects of cultural heritage colors and discusses the implications of VR SG in supporting digital cultural heritage experiences.

Explorando la invisibilidad en el paisaje cultural urbano: intervención didáctica en la formación inicial de maestros

The urban cultural landscape emerges as an element of spatial relevance to address socially relevant problems. It integrates various elements that make visible and commemorate certain historical figures, places or events, to the detriment of other groups or minorities, whose representation in the symbols of the urban landscape is practically non-existent. Based on this approach, this works presents the results of a didactic intervention, aimed at valuing urban heritage and its social implications. The training activity takes place at the Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa (ESELx), involving two groups of students. The main objective was to evaluate whether the toponymy of the street map and the sculptures of certain neighborhoods in Lisbon reflect the diversity that exists in the city in terms of social classes, cultures and genders. Likewise, student perceptions in relation to the analyzed urban heritage were explored. For this purpose, debates were generated, the content of the student productions was evaluated and a questionnaire was implemented. The main results show that the various elements of the urban heritage do not reflect the existing diversity in the city of Lisbon. A scant representation of female figures is evident, as well as elements related to diverse beliefs or cultures and members belonging to disadvantaged social strata. Furthermore, the potential of using urban heritage as a teaching resource to develop the critical thinking of future educators is manifested.

Impacto de los videojuegos narrativos en la percepción del patrimonio cultural: un análisis cualitativo de Assassin's Creed en estudiantes universitarios

Research on the interaction of students with educational video games that integrate elements of cultural heritage remains limited. Generally, studies focus on the mediation of educators in this interaction or on the direct analysis of the games. This has created a gap in our understanding of the meanings that students develop on their own while playing these video games. This study, based on qualitative interviews, examines the video game franchise Assassin's Creed, which recreates various historical periods and cultures through detailed narratives and settings. Participants indicated that the game offered them an immersive perspective on cultural heritage, different from the traditional educational experience in classrooms. They expressed a personal connection with non-playable characters (NPCs) and gained a more detailed and realistic understanding of the diverse perspectives in these natural, cultural, and social environments. Furthermore, they were willing to let their perceptions of cultural heritage be shaped by the game and reflected on the ethical and social implications of heritage representation in digital media. However, they showed a tendency to overlook opportunities for a more critical and in-depth analysis of these digital experiences. This highlights the need to explore strategies to foster a critical approach in the study of gaming experiences and underscores the importance of strengthening the human connection with heritage in heritage education.

Reconstructing the soundscape of the ancient Hippodrome of Olympia for an immersive sonic experience of heritage sites based on sound source description in texts

This study attempts to reconstruct and auralize the soundscape of the Hippodrome of Olympia in Greece. This UNESCO world-heritage-listed-site is considered the evidence of the Greek hippodromes. Hippodromes used to have several activities from which different combinations of sound sources created the soundscape. To collect sound sources, description in texts of site is sought by implementing methods of the archaeology of soundscape and the suggested criteria of contextual, internal, and comparative certainty for archaeoacoustics studies. The description of these activities facilitates reconstructing and auralizing the soundscape during different phases of events in the hippodrome. The results of the study showed that the information about the activities on the hippodrome, on similar hippodromes of different civilizations, and on similar hippodromes of later eras are rather sufficient to create a comprehensive soundscape of the site. Auralizing the reconstructed soundscape by using current auralization software and techniques promises of immersive experience of ancient sites that enhances understanding the sonic intangible cultural heritage element and the experience of the ancient soundscape. Furthermore, ancient users' perception of the soundscape can be approached by localizing the sound sources on the site and obtaining the corresponding acoustical properties, providing information of users' response to the sonic outcomes

Spanish tourist industry during the Franco’s regime through the touristic cinema (1951-1977)

Mass tourism in Spain became one of the most prosperous economic sectors in the mid-twentieth century, collaborating in the process of convergence with Europe, using the seductive power of the media, especially the cinema. A quantitative and (to a lesser extent) qualitative analysis methodology was followed. After reviewing the academic literature, the records of the National Film Library were consulted, selecting 87 films of tourist content and of national production, during the period of operation of the Ministry of Information and Tourism (1951-1977). The results have made it possible to identify the tourist segments, the cinematographic genres, the type of tourists, national or foreign, as well as the heritage elements and the services present in the tourist product of the time, visualizing the scenarios where the plots of the films are developed. The cinematography allows showing the elements that constitute the economic tourism model of Franco’s Spain, focused on towns on the Mediterranean coast, especially on the Costa del Sol. The research translates the antecedents of tourism marketing, using cinema as a means of communication that recognizes the economic transformation of Spanish society and the new image of Spain to be projected abroad.

The road along the coast: infrastructure, nature tourism and cultural heritage on the White Sea

Two research trips took us to the Kola Peninsula in northern European Russia, where we visited the Terskii Coast of the White Sea. There, we observed the development of nature tourism in this previously undervalued Subarctic destination. A network of local roads and trails has shaped the tourist development process. They not only serve as a key part of its mobility infrastructure, but also as a core element of local heritage that links otherwise scattered and isolated tourist sites. These sites vary from prehistoric petroglyphs and ancient cemeteries to salmon fishing camps and long stretches of natural shoreline. By exploring the long-term development and conceptualisation of the coastal road, we demonstrate the cultural and historical background and significance of these landscapes. Thus, we highlight the central position of roads and trails in the interactions of various groups of actors involved in tourism.

Multimethod digitalisation of a large-format school map from the first half of the 20th century

PurposeThis study aims to delve into the effectiveness of applying traditional and more advanced digital means to document elements of cultural heritage, in this case large-format cartography. Application of multimethod digitalisation to a school map of the American continent dating to the early part of the 20th century has served to address specific issues, notably its multilayers consisting of paper, inks and a protective varnish on a textile medium. Its large format is likewise an obstacle to its digital capture.Design/methodology/approachThe method applied here resorted to three registration systems: single-shot photography, panoramic photography and photogrammetry. The first two widely serve to capture works of large-format, whereas the third is commonly used to record volumetric assets. A variety of parameters were applied, notably different focal lengths, capture methods and processing software. The images obtained in each case were subjected to qualitative and quantitative comparisons so as to analyse their differences in terms of resolution and accuracy when compared to the map's real measurements, key criteria when duplicating cartographic documents.FindingsAlthough the final products gleaned from the digital photographs, panoramic photographs and photogrammetry fulfil the basic functions required to record documents housed in archives, libraries, museums and other cultural institutions, this study highlights new advances and complementary functions stemming from certain of these techniques.Originality/valueDigitalisation is a tool that serves to register, preserve, disseminate and analyse cultural heritage. However, some of the available techniques have rarely been applied specifically to graphic and documentary artefacts. It is for this reason that this study intends to demonstrate their utility in the detailed study of this heritage typology. Moreover, optimising the school map into a digital form favours its dissemination and remote consultation while simultaneously minimising direct manipulation, hence improving its long-term preservation.

The Lesser Poland version of Silesian folk costume Attitudes towards the Cieszyn folk costume displayed by regionalists east of the Biała River in the 21 st century

The Cieszyn folk costume, also referred to as the Silesian or the Valachian costume, is an important element of the cultural heritage of Cieszyn Silesia. It has been analysed in many academic and popular publications, both in terms of its material aspect and its role within the society. Thus far, however, authors focused on the region of Cieszyn Silesia in its historical borders, while in the early 20th century the Cieszyn folk costume could also be seen in what is now the Bestwina, Wilamowice and Brzeszcze communes, historically belonging to the region of Lesser Poland. Nowadays, it is worn for church ceremonies, as well as by members of folk dance and song ensembles and Rural Housewives Associations from the area. In some localities, there have been initiatives to replace the Cieszyn folk costume with others, e.g. the so-called lachowski (Lachy) attire, which used to be worn in the region and is associated with the cultural heritage of western Lesser Poland. The aim of this article is to analyse the various attitudes towards the Cieszyn folk costume as part of the heritage of western Lesser Poland. Some see it as a source of pride, others, as unwanted heritage. The analysis is based on interviews with local activists coupled with field observation and examination of photographic documentation available on the Internet.

ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE CULTURAL RESOURCES OF THE NADWIEPRZAŃSKI LANDSCAPE PARK

A landscape park is one of the legal forms of nature protection in Poland. It is a protected area due to its natural, historical, cultural and landscape values for preserving and popularising. The Nadwieprzański Landscape Park is located in southeastern Poland, on the middle section of the Wieprz River. The Park was established in 1990 and covers an area of over 6,000ha. The research aimed to identify resources, recognise threats and develop guidelines for protecting the cultural heritage elements of the Nadwieprzański Landscape Park. In the Park, there are monuments from various historical periods, e.g., former fortified settlements, castles, palaces and manor houses, churches, synagogues, war and religious cemeteries, granges, distilleries, mills, railway stations and small objects of sacral architecture, i.e., crosses and roadside shrines. In addition to immovable monuments, an essential part of the region’s intangible cultural heritage is a tradition in the form of holiday customs and rituals, legends and traditional crafts. It is impossible not to mention people associated with the region, their knowledge of this subject and the need to document oral traditions. Protection and preservation of heritage for future generations and rational use of environmental resources significantly affect the constant and sustainable economic development and may improve the standard of living of the local population. Unfortunately, many changes occurred within the Park due to various reasons. These are both natural causes, resulting from the destructive impact of environmental and material changes resulting from the passage of time and reasons related mainly to the lack of proper supervision of the facilities by the legal user, e.g., historic palaces and park complexes. In summary, objectives of the so-called passive, i.e., formal and legal ones and goals of the nature of active – conservation activities and the nature of activities restoring the lost cultural values of the region’s cultural heritage.

Chloroplast Genome Variation and Phylogenetic Relationships of Autochthonous Varieties of Vitis vinifera from the Don Valley.

The autochthonous grape varieties of the Don Valley, situated in southern Russia, constitute a distinctive element of regional cultural heritage. These varieties have been adapted over centuries to the region's specific local climatic and soil conditions. For the most part, these varieties are not imported from other countries. They are closely related to varieties found in Crimea and the North Caucasus. In this study, we obtained the first complete, unfragmented sequences of the chloroplast genomes of eight autochthonous varieties from the Don Valley and one from Crimea. We also performed a comparative analysis of their genomic features. The size of Vitis vinifera chloroplast genome sequences varied from 160,925 to 160,991 bp, depending on the cultivar, with a uniform GC ratio of 37.38%. Each genome consists of four subregions: a single copy region (LSC) ranging from 89,158 to 89,336 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) ranging from 19,070 to 19,073 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) in the range of 26,292 to 26,353 bp. The chloroplast genomes of the studied V. vinifera varieties contained 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. The sequence divergence analysis has enabled the identification of four highly variable regions, which may be utilized as potential markers for phylogenetic analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of 58 to 61 SSRs and multiple long repeated sequences in the chloroplast genomes of these varieties. The phylogenetic analyses of the sequences obtained and complete chloroplast genomes available from public databases indicated that the majority of autochthonous V. vinifera varieties do not have a direct origin from any European variety.

Intangible heritage restoration of damaged tomb murals through augmented reality technology: A case study of Zhao Yigong Tomb murals in Tang Dynasty of China

Tomb murals are a precious amalgamation of tangible and intangible heritage, encapsulating profound historical significance and aesthetic value. While tangible heritage often gains more attention than intangible heritage in cultural protection, it is still imperative to acknowledge that intangible heritage complements and substantiates the historical, cultural and artistic context. Tomb murals contain intangible heritage elements such as religious practices, customs and artistic techniques. Tomb murals from the Tang Dynasty of China showcase the cultural richness of both tangible and intangible heritage. Nevertheless, there are many challenges to the protection of Tang Dynasty tomb murals. In light of these challenges, the current study aims to protect the intangible heritage embodied in Tang Dynasty tomb murals through augmented reality technology. A Tang Dynasty tomb, the Zhao Yigong Tomb, has been selected as the research object. Seven murals from this tomb were restored using a process involving two-dimensional and three-dimensional modelling combined with augmented reality (AR) technology. Throughout the restoration process, the current study explores the impact of religious customs associated with the Zhao Yigong Tomb on mural contents and artistic techniques. The scenes depicted in these seven murals were integrated into an on-cloud AR platform to establish an effective process for protecting intangible heritage in tomb murals and stimulate further research, design and development. This study identifies the target audience as researchers, educators and college students interested in history, art and culture. To evaluate the current study, researchers and educators with relevant working backgrounds and college student participants with different backgrounds and interests were invited to test the AR application in the field, followed by one-to-one interviews for a usability assessment. The usability assessment shows that the AR application is widely accepted. In addition to adding information interactively, it helps the audience to improve their understanding of Tang Dynasty art and culture.

Listing Villages for Conservation: Practices and Impacts of the Village Conservation Project in China

ABSTRACT Due to the rapid destruction and disappearance of villages caused by mass urbanisation in China over the past decades, the Chinese government launched in the 1990s a nationwide ‘village conservation project.’ Villages are officially viewed as a fundamental component of Chinese society, integrating essential elements of Chinese heritage and culture. Consequently, the government has created multiple officially recognised lists to restore, protect, and showcase traditional villages, such as wenwu baohu danwei (cultural relics protection units), lishi wenhua mingcun (historical and cultural villages), chuantong cunluo (traditional villages), xiangcun lvyou zhongdiancun (rural tourism key villages), and meili yiju cunzhuang (beautiful and livable villages). By examining the implementation process of this ‘village conservation project’, this study reveals the motivations and impacts of the Chinese government’s efforts in listing villages for conservation and development. This study contributes to museum and heritage studies by providing a lens for understanding the conservation practices in rural areas in China.

Heritage elements and Artificial Intelligence as storytelling tools for virtual retail environments

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the metaverse has emerged as a groundbreaking platform for redefining fashion presentation, experience, and conceptualization. This paper investigates the interplay between fashion and Virtual Reality (VR) through specific use cases of virtual showrooms. Each case highlights the metaverse's potential in fashion, from reproposing historical elements to expressing contemporary trends, showcasing technological innovations, like Artificial Intelligence (AI), and user engagement strategies. This analysis shows how such commercial spaces can be exploratory platforms for narrating a brand's history and heritage elements, revealing VR's potential to enhance user engagement with immersive 3D environments and dynamic narratives. The paper further investigates advancements in integrating heritage with e-commerce elements and using heritage and AI as storytelling tools, concentrating on four exemplary projects. This integration suggests a future of increasingly immersive, personalized, and interactive experiences, marking a new chapter in how fashion is conceived, presented, and experienced.

Research on the construction of intangible cultural heritage corridors in the Yellow River Basin based on geographic information system (GIS) technology and the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model

Objectively and accurately identifying the spatial structure and protection scope of intangible cultural heritage and constructing intangible cultural heritage corridors are crucial for the comprehensive systematic protection of intangible cultural heritage and the synergistic development of the region. However, the current research on intangible cultural heritage is limited to the protection and development of intangible cultural heritage in specific locations or specific areas. Thus, systematic and holistic research perspectives are relatively limited. Therefore, this study employs geographic information system spatial analysis and the minimum cumulative resistance model to construct an intangible cultural heritage corridor in the Yellow River Basin. This study aims to establish a systematic protection method and framework for intangible cultural heritage. The results show the following: (1) The intangible cultural heritage in the Yellow River Basin has a large-scale centralized distribution and small-scale scattered distribution, which provides an important spatial basis for the construction of intangible cultural heritage corridors. (2) Overall, intangible cultural heritage corridors can be more effectively constructed in the eastern region of the Yellow River Basin than in the western region, with 84.6% of the area being suitable and 15.4% being unsuitable. (3) Based on the suitability analysis, the "18 + N" corridor system of intangible cultural heritage in the Yellow River Basin, distributed across the eastern, central and southern regions, is constructed. The major corridor has a suitable width of 60–100 km, a total length of 11,935 km, and an area of 625,976 km2–919,942 km2, and can connect 634–711 intangible cultural heritage sites in series. On this basis, this study proposes a multilevel construction system for intangible cultural heritage corridors in the Yellow River Basin that integrates the "network structure–spatial scope" and "element–axis–region" levels. This approach culminates in a pattern of intangible cultural heritage protection and development in the Yellow River Basin characterized by "connecting points into lines, distributing in groups, and linking regions." This study reveals that combining geographic information system spatial analysis tools with a minimum cumulative resistance model effectively identifies potential heritage corridor networks and clarifies the hierarchical relationships of heritage element protection in the study area. This approach provides a reference model for the comprehensive protection and systematic development of intangible cultural heritage in the Yellow River Basin. Furthermore, the effectiveness and universality of this framework make it applicable to the protection and development of other similar international heritage areas.

역사문화콘텐츠의 놀이적 특성 연구

The purpose of this study is to examine the playful characteristics of historical-cultural contents through the case of Jeonju Hanok Village. This study aims to present the playful traits and implications in the planning of historical-cultural contents for cultural cities. This paper identifies the core playful characteristics of historical-cultural contents as fun, fictionality, and non-dailiness. For the case study of Jeonju Hanok Village, qualitative research methods such as field visits, participant observation, and online review analysis were employed. The research revealed that spatial contents directly utilizing key historicalcultural resources, such as Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Jeondong Cathedral, plays a crucial role in providing non-dailiness, while contents indirectly utilizing historical-cultural resources, such as clothing, food, housing, and events enhances or provides fun and fictionality. These playful characteristics of the contents tend to manifest complexly during visitor experiences. The implications of the study are as follows. First, to plan and create historical-cultural contents as a playful entity, it is necessary to examine historical-cultural resources from the perspectives of cultural heritage elements and narrative elements. Second, historicalcultural content with playful characteristics can be planned and created through two approaches: direct utilization of historical-cultural resource elements and indirect utilization. Third, to plan and create progressive and expansive historical-cultural contents, it is essential to create an environment where various playful activities centered around historical-cultural contents can occur, allowing visitors to produce and share new contents themselves.

A choice experiment economic valuation of cultural heritage tourism ecosystems

Economic valuation studies of non-market goods in culture and tourism have a long and recognised track record. Many studies focus on evaluating well-defined examples such as monuments, institutions or events, leaving the valuation of cultural heritage tourism ecosystems as an important and less explored challenge. This work addresses the evaluation of a cultural tourist ensemble in which factors such as the natural landscape, elements of tangible historical heritage and intangible technological knowledge are integrated, all referring to a specific territorial demarcation, which acts as a driver of tourist appeal. Choice experiment methodology is applied to obtain the value allocated to different attributes of the ensemble by various groups of visitors, according to their origin or type of stay: first, local, national and foreign visitors; and second, the canonical distinction between excursionists and tourists. In general, locals report a greater contribution to preserve cultural expressions while nationals and foreigners do so for tourism services. Tourists report greater appreciation for cultural consumption while excursionists do so for drivers of cultural and territorial brand. Our approach and results can provide a better basis to implement strategies of management and preservation of cultural ecosystems as niches for tourism activity and economic impact.

Promoting Cultural Heritage Preservation through Agrotourism in Saint Lucia

Summary Since Saint Lucia became an accessible and consolidated destination in the 1990s, the domestic agricultural industry suffered a sharp decline. Many communities abandoned their fields and aimed for better-paid jobs in the tourism sector. Over time, the nation’s tourism sector reached a point of stagnation, lacking innovation and differentiation from neighbouring islands. The increase in tourism favoured the importation of foreign products rather than the use of local products to cater to international guests. The identity of local cuisine and traditional farming practices have been gradually lost. Through a series of interviews with local tourism entrepreneurs, this case study analyses the initiatives, challenges, and opportunities for integrating elements of traditional agricultural heritage into the tourism industry as an element of differentiation and cultural preservation. Information © The Authors 2024

A conceptual framework for characterization of agricultural heritage in desert-prone areas

PurposeThis study aims to propose a comprehensive conceptual framework for the characterization of agricultural heritage in desert-prone areas, with a focus on Siwa Oasis in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilizes a multidimensional approach, integrating perspectives from sustainability principles, stakeholders and the agricultural heritage frameworks of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). It involves thematic analysis of qualitative data collected through focus group discussions and interviews with a diverse range of participants, including community members, government officials, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and researchers.FindingsThe study identifies five key elements of agricultural heritage in Siwa Oasis: cultural, ecological, economic, social and scientific. Cultural elements include traditional farming practices, irrigation systems and architectural features, while ecological elements encompass crop biodiversity, wildlife habitats and traditional landraces. Economically, date palm cultivation, olive production and agritourism activities play crucial roles in livelihood security and local economies. Socially, community cohesion, gender roles and cultural practices shape the social fabric of the oasis, with festivals and rituals fostering a sense of belonging. From a scientific perspective, the integration of traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices enhances sustainability and resilience.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused solely on Siwa Oasis as a case study, limiting generalizability to other desert-prone areas. Further research could explore additional regions to enhance the understanding of agricultural heritage in diverse contexts. Additionally, the qualitative nature of the study may limit statistical analysis. Future studies could employ mixed-methods approaches for a more comprehensive understanding of agricultural heritage dynamics.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the multifaceted aspects of agricultural heritage in Siwa Oasis can inform sustainable development initiatives, tourism planning and cultural preservation efforts. Local policymakers and stakeholders can utilize these insights to develop policies that support traditional farming practices, ecotourism and community development. Furthermore, the promotion of agricultural heritage can enhance economic opportunities, food security and environmental sustainability in desert-prone regions.Social implicationsRecognition of the social elements embedded within Siwa Oasis’s agricultural heritage highlights the importance of community cohesion, gender roles and cultural practices. By acknowledging and preserving these aspects, initiatives can be developed to empower local communities, promote gender equality and preserve cultural identity. Such efforts can enhance social cohesion, strengthen cultural bonds and promote inclusivity in the development agenda of desert-prone areas.Originality/valueThis study contributes a novel conceptual framework that bridges multifunctionality concepts, sustainability principles and stakeholder perspectives to characterize agricultural heritage in desert-prone areas. It offers insights into the complex interplay of cultural, ecological, economic, social and scientific dimensions of agricultural heritage systems.

El paisaje histórico entre Portugal y Castilla a finales de la Edad Media en las orillas del Duero: SIG aplicado a las demarcações de fronteira

This study focuses on the historical landscape of the Douro River. The regional and local values of medieval cultural heritage elements were explored from “Demarcações de Fronteira” - a demarcation book dated from 1537-1538 - to understand the places and medieval testimonies of political, social, and economic relations between the two medieval kingdoms of Portugal and Castile. A document analysis is intended to identify and describe the cultural elements of a specific place and a particular time and discern resilient cultural features in the landscape. In parallel, a cartographic analysis could help to identify, characterize, and localize the late medieval landscape (beginning of the 16th century). This analysis is fundamental for comparing other periods and studying the landscape resilience.

History and heritage in distance education

Originally published in 2012, distance education’s history is a tremendous resource for all involved in distance education. Some aspects of that history provide enduring touchstones for present distance educators, creating a heritage that should not be overlooked as distance education continues to develop and expand. In this article we draw on the concept of generational frameworks to focus on particular developments that have shaped and continue to shape distance education. From those developments we identify and discuss seven elements that serve as the core features of the heritage that underpins our distance education practice. We challenge current distance educators to identify their own heritage elements and build on them as they contribute to the future of the discipline.