October 9th Essay

Looking at Glassberg’s conclusion to Sense of History with the topic of technology in mind, we can see that it truly is a double-edged sword.  Technology can, on one hand, makes us less social with each other, a more anonymous place. On the other, it can be utilized in a variety of creative ways that allow us to connect with more history: films, websites, interactive exhibits, and mobile apps. Technology takes away traditional forms of connection, but gives us a million more ways to communicate.   Technology can help us learn the parts of history important to us, and become more knowledgeable about what inspires us.  Technology can also keep us from learning having so many things out there not associated with learning tools.

Wallace talks about how technology is helps us learn with video games made to show people what happened in history and experience it in the game, like Oregon Trail computer game.  He also talks about visual reality headpieces for museums and how they would transport people into the past so they can experience by seeing it play out.  Glassberg attributes the increase of historical activity to people coming into contact with more historical experiences.  No longer do you have to open a history book to feel and experience history.   Just by browsing on youtube, you can experience history that has occurred thousands of miles away and dozens of years in the past.

 Technology is increasing the spread of information at an unprecedented pace. The world is more connected now than it has ever been.  Historians need to embrace technology. It does not replace the physical world, it serves to enhance our connection to it.  You can connect to the physical world and learn more about it. For example, we were shown in class how goolge maps can be connected to Flickr images. We can see both the world as it stands currently and as it was in the past. I think historians today are only just now realizing some of the doors that technology can open.

Technology is being used in museums, archives, and historical societies to show people or members what is being offered at their locations.  Archives use technology has a aid to help researchers find what they need before they get there.  Museums are using it to show some of their exhibits online, or to tell people what is coming to the museum next.  These places also use social media sites to keep their members and visitors informed on upcoming events.

The future of history in the twenty first century is one of balance. In order to keep history relevant, technology must be used not only as an entertainment tool, but as a teaching tool. Although technology is a great tool for history, it’s important to understand that technology must be used in moderation. Too much technology could take away from what a museum is trying to teach its audience, or more specifically, what an object is supposed to show its audience. As past history has dictated, historians will continue to interpret and analyze past events to help the present understand its past.