Changing Humanities and Smart Application of Digital Technologies

Part 1: Humanities and Application of Digital Technologies

E-research Acceptance and Humanities Community

Kuo-Hung Huang*

Department of E-learning Design and Management, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Abstract

Digital humanities is broadly characterized as humanities research associated with data-driven activities. Computational technologies are adopted to explore new methods and tools supplementing established research routines in humanities. However, humanities researchers expressed concerns that the enthusiasm to promote and accelerate the application of technology in humanities teaching and research might overlook the significance of humanities itself. This article points out the advantages of technologies in respond to humanities concerns.

Keywords: Digital humanities, Digital scholar, e-research, Humanities, Mutual dependence, New media, Scholarly communities, Social media, Task-uncertainty, Technology Acceptance.

* Corresponding author Kuo-Hung Huang: Department of E-learning Design and Management, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Tel/Fax: +886-5-2263411; E-mail: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Digital Humanities, a term used during the early 2000s, was defined, by researchers from a variety of fields, as a new discipline exploring computational methods for traditionally-defined humanities scholarships (Puschmann & Bastos, 2015). In fields of humanities research, such as archive collection, text analysis, map digitalization, and history visualization, computational technologies are adopted to explore new methods and tools supplementing established research routines in humanities (Juola, 2008). Due to its interdisciplinary and technolo-

gical nature, digital humanities are broadly characterized as humanities research associated with data-driven activities. Incorporating a range of different interpretations and innovative technologies, digital humanities has evolved to a unique scholarly field or movement. Studies in media and culture, archive creation and digital library, e-learning, and the prevailing community websites have also been referred to as digital humanities generally (McPherson, 2009).

The suffix digital, which has affinity to information technology, is progressively used to delimit the new computational areas of humanities research. Due to the pervasive use of communication tools, such as social media, it is most commonly defined as new media, which refers to content accessible on any digital device through interactive user feedback and creative participation on the Internet. With information and communication capabilities to improve intellectual and social life, new media provides a way to interact with other people in a manner that is fundamentally different from what we have had before. People are able to take advantage of expertise spread around the globe or ask virtual friends for advice. Furthermore, the human mind is no longer isolated by location, but is distributed all over the Internet. The entire wealth of stored human knowledge can be accessed through shared mental tools.

CONCERNS FROM THE HUMANITIES COMMUNITY

However, the concept of the use of computers to offer the potential of the expansion of human intellect is little more than a vision, as such claims are not strongly supported by empirical evidences (Olson, 1985; Pea, 1985; Sewell, 1990). Information is not equal to intellect. Access to millions of copies of digital textbooks or online courses of elite universities does not guarantee users’ successful learning. Given the availability of such tools and resources, students will rely on finding more and learning less. In fact, the majority of the population use new media for social or entertainment purposes. Furthermore, Striebel (1986) argued that, within a technological framework, all these approaches reflect a shift towards technologizing education, which is consonant with a statement by Elkind (1985) delegitimize non-technological methods of learning and thinking about problems.

Similar reservations have been expressed by several humanities researchers. They worry that our enthusiasm to promote and accelerate the application of technology in humanities teaching and research might overlook the significance of humanities itself. In spite of the enormous educational value and research inspirations, particularly association with the convenient use of resources, technology is deeply mistaken as a ‘fast-food approach’ necessarily required in the digital era, and therefore, reduces the educational perspectives and aims that emphasize holistic approaches to nurture humanist whole development.

On the contrary, some humanities researchers in the design field reiterate the importance of digital scholarships. The scholarly digital projects not only provide a researching opportunity for practitioners, but also post an issue regarding role of design in the creation and representation of knowledge for design thinking researchers (Burdick & Willis, 2011). For example, Christine Borgman asserted that, making the digital scholarship an innovating force in humanities research will prevent the community from falling behind in this multimodal and dynamic world, and thus, avoid becoming a victim of the tremendous restructuring of higher education (Borgman, 2009). Additionally, Sams, Lim, and Park (2011) claimed that the online content will provide a rich source of data for academic researches, particularly in social science and humanities. For example, they found that news blogs formed a centerpiece of election campaigns after using blog posts to examine the relationship between the number of votes received by political candidates and the level of their online presence. Consequently, the development of e-Research tool providing access to large online datasets instead of established data collection led to discover new sociopolitical phenomena or theoretical model.

The differences of attitudes regarding information practices between scholarly communities have been revealed by several studies. Digital learning repositories are increasingly important, as they provide resources for teaching, have the potential of fostering innovative new professional behavior, and facilitate the sharing of good pedagogical practices (Millard, Borthwick, Howard, McSweeney, & Hargood, 2013). With abundance of digital collections presently available, integrating primary sources into humanities teaching and learning at the university level becomes more convenient than before; however, collections of online primary sources are still underutilized (Lindquist & Long, 2011). Harley (2007) conducted a study with humanities faculty, and identified several barriers regarding the adoption of digital resources, namely difficulties in finding, maintaining, and selecting appropriate resources for classroom instruction. These issues are not easily resolved without the faculty’s devotion of time and awareness of available resources. As Millard, Borthwick, Howard, McSweeney, and Hargood, (2013) claimed, the most significant barrier to participate is innovative behavior itself, as practitioners do not traditionally share their materials or approaches in public.

Another study by Fry (2006) indicated that the way in which scholarly communities coordinate and control research problems, techniques, strategies, task outcomes, and reputations will significantly influence the production and use of digital infrastructures and resources across fields (p. 312). Therefore, the author constructed an argument that patterns the coordination and control within scholarly communities, as shaped by levels of mutual dependence and task-uncertainty, which will influence the development of field-based strategies for information practices within the context of networked digital resources (p. 312). In other words, with the cultural configuration of knowledge production practices in the digital field, the humanities scholarly community is less concerned with teamwork on producing field-based digital resources and integrating them into their epistemology.

LOOKING FORWARD

Meaning is created between people as their viewpoints are expressed in discourse. The challenge for digital humanities researchers is creating a shared social reality through continuous endeavors that give insights into the criteria and facilitate reflection on meaning making process. Soon and Park (2009), from the social science perspective in an Asian context, asserted that main obstacles preventing social scientists and humanities from approaching and embracing new technologies to conduct research work was lack of technical knowledge and skills. In addition to education and training programs to enhance social scientists’ expertise combining computational science and social sciences, a practical change to overcome the barrier will be promoting collaborative efforts among social scientists, computer professionals, and humanities scholars.

A number of digital humanities projects have indicated that the success of digital humanities depends on selecting the appropriate technology. For example, a study on digitizing an old text verifies that the technological tools appropriate for the task can facilitate accuracy as well as critical reflection, and thus, avoid the alleged risk of shallowness associated with utilizing computers (Carr, 2010; Delfino, 2011). Led by technological change, new challenges and opportunities will motivate the development of new dimensions for humanities, and eventually evolve new digital scholarships. The sense of urgency has been articulated clearly- the humanities research field is in great need of innovation.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The author confirms that the author has no conflict of interest to declare for this publication.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology for the financial support of this project (NSC 102-2420-H-415-004-MY2).

REFERENCES

Part 2: Spatial Technology and Humanities Understanding

Feng Shui and Technology: Case Studies of Spatial Information Applications

Kuo-Hung Huang¹, *, Ching-Ching Cheng²

¹ Department of E-learning Design and Management, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.

² Department of Early Childhood Education, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Abstract

This paper reports several case studies on creating innovative applications of spatial technology with Feng Shui in order to meet the requirements of burials. Case study research is used to investigate how individual behaviors are influenced by integrating technology with Feng Shui, within its context. A qualitative design is chosen to collect data from interviews, participatory observations, and demonstrations. The researcher interviewed the case subjects in order to assess their needs, and then accompanied them on their trips to family tombs and recorded the traverse path. Finally, this researcher displays the maps and discusses the applications. Findings indicated that Google Earth could be used with Feng Shui for filtering information regarding site selection, as well as recording and sharing information on burial activities. Above all, spatial information on the Internet could serve as a medium for cultural communications between generations. This study increases our understanding of the meaning of Feng Shui to our elders, and how to integrate spatial information with traditional culture.

Keywords: Burial, Burial site, Cultural communication, Elderly, Feng Shui, Google Earth, Spatial information, Traditional culture.

* Corresponding author Kuo-Hung Huang: Department of E-learning Design and Management, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan, R.O.C; Tel/Fax: +886-5-2263411; E-mail:[email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Originally developed in China, the Feng Shui theory has long been used in architecture and landscape design and planning in East Asian countries, and has

been extending its influences into daily lives (Huang & Teng, 2009; Mak & Ng, 2005). The main premise of the Feng Shui theory is to maintain a harmonious relationship between humans and environment. The literal meaning of Feng Shui is wind and water, and its major concerns are protecting sites from wind, and obtaining fresh water. The theoretical basis of Feng Shui relies on the concept of chi, the vital force that influences the fate of the space’s occupants. Accordingly, decision-making regarding living spaces and burial sites are at the center of Feng Shui practices (Chang & Lii, 2010; Chen & Wu, 2009). In fact, Feng Shui has developed into two main fields, namely, Yang House Feng Shui, which is applied to palaces, cities, villages, and housing, and Yin House Feng Shui, which is applied to graves. Both have similar criteria for deciding grave and housing locations. Believing the quality of their Feng Shui influences both the physical and mental health of the inhabitants, many Chinese link the construction and the main direction of their houses with their fate (Mak & Ng, 2005).

The Chinese believe that fortune and health follow the gathering of positive chi. According to Feng Shui principles, the site of human dwellings must be located at a place where the heavenly chi and earthly chi are constantly interacting in harmony (Chang & Lii, 2010). Feng Shui concerns the physical form of the site under consideration and its surrounding environment. For an auspicious orientation, the Feng Shui master searches for propitious locations and directions, such as a favorable mountain range, lucky surrounding hills, or a nearby river. The process of searching is unpredictable, time consuming, and sometimes disturbing, particularly if a location is in urgent need, as in cases of funerals. Field observations have the disadvantage of only providing limited information on the area-wide distribution of the Feng Shui locations.

In China and Korea, burying one’s parents in a place deemed propitious under Feng Shui principles is seen as a way to demonstrate filial piety. Most individuals take the responsibilities of maintaining and cleaning their ancestor’s burial areas. Therefore, Feng Shui practice is the embodiment of cultural beliefs in burial activities. In recent years, spatial technology has become prevalent and is easily used. These emergent resources can be used as tools for the practice of Feng Shui. In this paper, the researcher reports several case studies on the Feng Shui of tombs by integrating Global Positioning System (GPS) and Google Earth capabilities, and creates an innovative application of spatial technology through Feng Shui in order to meet the needs of individuals. Through interactive demonstrations and communications, the case studies can enhance our understanding of the contextual meaning of Feng Shui for the