Using the Omeka Web Publishing Platform in Historical Research and Teaching
Abstract
The paper discusses the adoption of Omeka software as a tool for historical research and teaching in the context of growing interest in the development and dissemination of digital resources on historical subjects using specialized software. Omeka is an open- source content management system that enables users to create and publish digital collections and exhibitions, providing standardized metadata description and comprehensive representation of historical materials. Omeka comes in several versions: Omeka Classic and Omeka.net (the hosted version) are best suited for personal use and local projects, while Omeka S is designed for large institutions and large-scale collaborative projects. The platform offers historians a range of advantages for both teaching and research, thanks in particular to its adherence to high scholarly standards and its orientation toward users without specialized technical skills. Omeka supports flexible combinations of inperson and remote work and facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration between historians and specialists in other fields and disciplines. The use of the platform has assumed particular relevance in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian War, when the digitization of cultural objects, creation and dissemination of digital archives, documentation of cultural heritage, and related tasks have become priorities for researchers and institutions alike. Of course, like most software products, Omeka carries certain potential risks. To counteract these risks, users must pay heightened attention to the methodological, organizational, technical, and other aspects of working with the platform, as well as be able to strike a balance among available resources, the goals of educational and research projects, and the quality requirements for the digital representation of historical materials. Only combining systemic and critical approaches to working with the platform allows users to fully realize its potential in historical research and teaching and fosters both informed use of digital tools and critical engagement with the digital resources they help produce.
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